He Told Me Not To Eat You (Sapph, Trent, Gil)

[Lovely]

June 21, 2006
9:47 pm
Telus

Nearly a thousand years had passed and the child of darkness slumbered, absorbing the light as well as gathering power and strength. Her dreams were lucid and she was somehow aware yet apart from the world, nothing was real as vivid and fantasic images shifted through her mind. Sapphira was woken early from her sleep due to the unbalance caused by the forces that were released along with Alkonost. As if he'd known all along, he was there when she awoke and broke free of her encasement, Gil had been the last she'd seen as a babe, before being sent to 'sleep' and was the first she saw upon awakening. Her alliegence was immediately set to him, she saw him as greater than she was, and he took her 'home' where she remained with him for many years, in an alter dimension, during which only one year had passed on this realm.

Awakening early, caused disruption in her balance as she was not fully 'set' and should have remained in slumber for a time longer, but alas some things can not be changed. At first she was wild, a bit savage, and primal, driven soley by her hunger -Gil taught her about control, he civilized her somewhat and devised 'aides' to subdue and balance the darkness that remained in her. Gil became like a father to Sapphira through the years she spent with him, learning and being 'tamed', she became fiercely loyal and protective of the man.

She was curious and devoured the knowledge Gil shared like the meat of a meal when she was starving. After the initial adjustments, the time had passed quietly... the days turned to weeks, weeks to months and months faded into years.. time slipped by without grandeur or even much notice. Finally the time came for her to cross into this realm and learn what she could from the little that was left of man and continue her training 'in the field'.

The crossing itself was meant to be a simple matter, merely stepping through a portal with Gil, but how often do things remain simple? As Sapphira crossed into the void that spaced this realm from the other, a strange phenomenon occured, something called the Ripple... As the waves passed through to reorder events and prevent the destruction, Sapphira was hit and knocked askew with time and landed here on the eve of the summer soltice, one year before she was meant to enter. She was effected by the ripple as were the creatures of this realm, though not wiped clean much of her knowledge was sent askew and many things lost or confused. She 'misplaced' some of her civilized ways and a bit more of her savageness was returned.

All in all her landing was soft, a small pop of the air as if popping gum and she appeared in the dark, stumbling a step and immediately turning to look for Gil. There was nothing there, no trace of the portal, no Gil, and upon better observation the world looked nothing like it had been described.. it certainly did not look very decimated, her brow furrowed and she moved off to search the area for Gil.

Sapphira had not gone far, when she came upon another creature and what might be another portal, but there was still no sign of Gil. She was worried, for herself and for the man she considered a father, she was sure now that she had not ended up where she was intended to be. She remained in the shadows, keeping herself hidden, as she watched the creature, the man, silent and curious.. something about him reminded her of something, though she could not place what that was.

[Lovely]

... the edge of town where things are even darker than other places, Trent strolls closer to the hellmouth and waits, noticing the acid holes in his jacket. It seemed he remembered them getting there, but at the same time, he toyed with the mars and scorches as if discovering them the first time. His own voice echoed and seemed strange... "She tagged my good jacket... still not happy about that." it mused, but it was distant like a dream, said by some other him in some other time.

Sapphira continued to watch, curious like a child in one moment and a piercing predator in the next. "let's kill her!" She found her voice carrying out, as it would when Gil mused out loud.

He sensed her, sensed something, so he was not startled when he looked up and saw her there in the shadows near the hell mouth. "Oh... it's you." He looked up from the jacket, poking a finger clear through one of the holes and shaking it at her. "Um... hold up.. she's not that bad... it's just a jacket.."

"lets kill her anyway..." She looked at him innocently as if there was nothing bad about suggesting it, after all they could probably eat 'her' and not even have a big mess to worry about.

He raised an eyebrow, now, ignoring the hole. " .. You're not a peaceful... live-and let-live sorta... turn-the-other-cheek kinda demon, are you?"

"peace is for wimps.." She tossed back with a slight teasing smirk as she remained in the shadows, he'd see the glint of her eyes.

"Bu-... umm.... yeah, okay, I see how this is going to go. So you wanna kill something? Great... you see that big black amorphous haze that looks like dark fog? That's a hell mouth... should remind you of home. That's what I'm here to guard... rather guard this side to keep things in there... no offense... from getting out."

"Yeah... that's not very peaceful like, what happened to live and let live? Those demonic and evil beings are just doing what they are made to do.. " She folded her arms and regarded him a moment.

"I didn't say I was killing them. I'm guarding 'here' to keep them 'there'. IF they come out here, I can't say they weren't warned. I'm not hunting them down... much," he tried to explain, watching the glow that was all he could see of her and the hole in 'space' he was guarding.

"oh so when it is conveinent to be peaceful, you are?" She edged closer to him, but still well out of reach and keeping to the shadows to mask her appearance from his full view.

"Well...," He shrugged. "... yeah... more or le-... hey, we're not talking about me, here... this is about you just stalking down whatever..."

"hey some b*tch messing up a jacket is a heck of a lot worse than a demon just doing what demons do... it's rude." She explained, as though it should be obvious to him.

He chuckled. ".. Rude? Okay then... we can allow filth and pillage and ...no wait, we kinda slaughtered Filth.. that wasn't pretty... but being rude is just gauche?"

Sapphira rolled her eyes. "You're not getting the point here... see this.. Female.. did she have to wreck your jacket? No.. I doubt it was her cosmic purpose or reason for being. demons see their purpose is to do the things they do, it's how they are made, hence why they are demons and not some other beings. spawn.. they are.. again what they are, it's not as if they can avoid it. I bet this chick could have avoided the coat incident." She shrugged, speaking matter of factly. "And for someone who is all live and let live.. you hunting demons negates that motto completely.. live and let live -if I think you're okay?" She reasoned and finally stepped forward enough that he might see more of her.

"How about, she was trying to kill me first because of what I am... doing what I do.. or did... and being in the wrong place at the wrong time? She's a vamp hunter... well.... you see the problem," he motioned to himself, being the huntee.

[Lovely]

"A vamp hunter? And.. you're okay with her trying to kill you? Man.. beings of this plane really have no spines! So not only did she cump your jacket, she converted you... and where is this mighty hunter and why isn't she guarding this gate? hmmm what are you covering her vacation?" She tossed bac smartly, if he was into killing demons, what would stop him from taking up against her?

"Actually, no, we just have an understanding. We both hate Nosferat... which gained me a little more time," he said, shrugging again and moving around the edge of the 'hole', peering in.

"Ewww they're nasty buggers arent they?" She crinkled her nose and sighed. "And that doesn't tell me why you're here at this gate... and since I came through.. well not that one... but my own.. are you going to hunt me? Cause if you are we should get started, since when the sun rises you'll have to go and all." She watchd him, curious and intrigued, but might as well get it over with if they needed to.

"Told you, I'm guarding, not hunting. I'm not after you. I have this friend... he goes by the name 'Gil'... he kinda gives me tips on things once in a while, like manuscripts that will be written in a century or so about things that are happening now. It's kind of hard to explain, but he one of those backwards living elder types, you know? He mentioned something about this place and something to keep an eye open for."

"Gil?" She looked surprised and folded her arms. "That.." She muttered curses, several in dead languages. "Oh so I guess you are hunting me... suppose I'll have to thank Gil for his kindness next time I see him." Her foot lashed out, to send him away from her.

"What? No... I'm serious.. I know about you... it's not you I'...hey," he said, taking the hit and moving into a defensive stance anyway. "Then again, if you really insist..."

"You know about me?? Really?" Her eyes flashed, her hand on the hilt of her sword, though not drawing it yet.

"Miss 'Diremoon'..," he addressed her with a raised eyebrow, nodding to her sword. "And if I were you, you may want to have that ready... should be just about time," he said nodding now to the temporal rift.

She watched him with ice blue eyes that were near glowing. Her fingers tightened on the hilt, her eyes remaining cooly on him. "Why would you explain Gil to me as if I didn't know him? What are you up to?" She nodded to the rift. "And why should I care what is coming out of there?"

"Because I didn't know 'when' you know him and wasn't sure you'd met him yet. That backwards thing... kinda screws with ya... so sorry for explanations being short, but... there's something I need to collect, if you'll excuse me," he said, moving to the bag he'd brought, pulling his own sword free, but not aiming at or having much interest in her at the moment.

She watched him and whispered softly as something moved in shadows, that her eyes caught, but his might not. "You should look up now." The whisper would reach his ears like a soft breath.

"Don't distract me, it's a timing thing," he murmured, watching the hole intently as he knelt beside it, running a thumb over his lip.

"Fine." She shrugged and watched the shadows twist and contort near him. "You really should look." Her arms were folded, as she watched, she'd let it get closer and see if he listened to her or ignored her.

He wasn't ignoring as much as it seemed. "C'mon... where are you... you were supposed to be here already," he murmured.

Her sword left its sheath in a flash and was hurtling through the air, looking as if it would hit him. But it sailed just over where he crouched, imbedding into the very darkness itself , or so it seemed for the split second that it remained. Then a blood curdling horrific screamed bellowed as the creature staggered and clawed at the blade which had sliced into its middle. "Told you to look up." She muttered, running at him and flipping herself through the air in a hurtling summersault. Two more long, sharp, slightly curved blades found their way into her hands as she landed, just shy of Trent. "Is that what you're looking for?" She dropped to her knees to avoid a powerful, flailing, angry tentacle.

[Lovely]

"No, but its brother is," he said, pointing to the hole as a human-looking hand surfaced. "''Bout damned time." He reached to the 'hole' to pull a man free, with a similar, larger tentacle reaching out behind him.

"Ah! Sapphira, darling, how will you be?" The man looked up from the ground to see her and the creature, scrambling away from the one that reached behind him. "Trent, your timing is still off. I suggest you read a little ahead next time."

Trent groaned and lashed the blade through the tentacle, slicing it apart like second nature. "Go home...," he spat at it, turning to address its smaller sibling if Sapphira needed the help.

She cast a look at the man and sprang up in a fluid motion, fangs bared and spitting at the creature. Her blade slicing through the arm that had held the axe poised to take Trent's head moments before. She landed on her feet, both arms swinging blades and slicing into the creature. She barely noticed Trent coming to join her.

"Thank you, but... if you kill that one, you're going to make his brother mad... that one was just going home, but now.. guess we have a problem..."

"Good next time.. I'll let him cut off your head." She stepped back and motioned for the creature to proceed with what it had been doing when she hurled her sword at it. "There you go.." She commented, sarcastically to Trent. "why don't you explain your views on peace and such to him."

"Kinda late now, but that's okay...," he said, standing and swinging gracefully below the 'arm' that had been stumped, cleaving up into the creature before sliding his blade free. "I would, but my pronunciation in its language would be next to impossible without a second head. My luck, he'd think I was asking him on a date."

She looked at him and then at the creature. "fine.." She muttered to herself and then dove at the creature, flipping between tenticles and crawling up it's front. She sank into it's hide with sharp fangs that pierced deep enough for her venom to flow into it. She let enough seep into it to knock out an elaphant, sure it would take at least that much. As she held on, it flailed angry and tried to swat and rip her off.

Whatever was swatting at her received a blade to shorten it, piece by piece. "I'm sure he tastes terrible," he mused, snipping another apendage shorter, keeping her safe from the swings.

"Trent, stop teasing the girl and pay attention," Gil said, motioning to the big brother who hadn't gone home yet.

[Lovely]

She let go as she felt the creature slow, her venom working its way through the beast. It wouldn't kill it, but would keep it paralysed long enough that something could be done with it. Smiling as she skidded to land at Trents feet, she winked as she quickly came to her feet and grabbed him at the back of his neck. She kissed him, (actually quite skillfully) letting the taste of the creature smear in and on his mouth. "Wouldn't want you to have missed that." Her eyes widened as she watched a large tenticle reach for them. "We should move now."

He nodded, not yet spitting out the kiss, enjoying her portion of it far more than the bitter ooze from the creature that he overlooked. His lip tingled a moment as he nodded, turning skillfully to strike at the tentacle and launch past it to put it between the two of them. "Gil, move for Chrissakes... you're the one it wants."

The man slunk further and pulled a case from his sleeve, tucking it firmly in a tree branch out of tentacle-reach. Just as swiftly, he pulled a pouch with powder from the same sleeve, tossing a pinch above himself. The blue glitter ignited in a cloud around him and the man vanished from view.

"And you call me slow?" Trent murmured, noting the location of the case that caught the moonlight. He turned quickly back to the task and creature at hand, feeling his face numb slightly from the venom-laced kiss. "You'd make an awesome dentist... watch yourself. He's faster," he warned, taking a step back and a full swing to splice another tentacle before moving behind it.

She chuckled and dove low under a tenticle spinning and coming up with a blade to slice it. She ducked and flipped through the air, landing on the larger creature and hacking at the arms that swung at her. Her eyes kept watch to make sure it did not get closer to Gil.

"Mind the eyestalks at least. That might help," he pointed out, as the younger one didn't have his fully developed to have them protrude from his head. Trent dove at the creature's back, piercing up and through to where a heart would be if it had one. His blade wrenched, requiring a foot hold to the knobby armor that slipped away from the ooze, causing him to tumble clumsily. "f*ck...," he ducked as the flailing tentacle rose over him, aiming at Sapphira. "Look out!"

She leapt from the beast and landed with a thud on the ground to avoid getting bashed by the tentacle. Her head snapped up and she eyed the creature. "Okay mister 'I know what I'm doing..' want to tell my what you'd like me to do with this thing?" She glanced at the other, laying motionless on the ground. Moving warily towards Trent, keeping low to the ground and dodging the creature. "Or do you just want me to distract it while you take care of tiny over there?" Her voice was low, but she knew he could hear her easily.

Gil was already over by the smaller creature before Trent turned, filling vials with the ooze and snapping another limb from it, tossing another powder over it that seemed to crystalize and preserve it instantly. Another pouch came out and the limb disintegrated into it neatly on command of a snap and a word. He stood and smiled at the other two, tossing his blue powder overhead again to flash and vanish as before, obviously still in the area, but not in immediate sight.

[Lovely]

"Never had a reason to kill one before.. don't know if it's possible, really. They regenerate. Gil just needed some components... a cruel sort of borrowing is all. Big brother here was the problem," he said hurriedly, making sure Gil got what he needed and was safe from the fray. "Thank you for the help though. He said the last time he did this, it didn't go over so well and a whole herd of these buggers took over the county for about sixty years."

"Well that's promising." She whirled around and called to the empty space, general direction Gil had been in. "Thank you... appreciate this... next time just tell me what you're getting me into!" She turned to Trent eyeing the creatures. "Any suggestions? Can we chuck this one back through the hole?" She pointed to the smaller one. "What if we blow them up? Or freeze them?.. or freeze them then blow them up?"

"Yup.. chucking away," he said, diving to grab his sword from the creature, not loosing his footing this time. The spray from the wound was dreadfully strong, catching most of Trent's back as he spun to avoid it. "Damnit... just got this back from being cleaned. Shit," he hissed, brushing away what he could. He turned the blade, holding his hands to the left, the blade the right, peering down the blade to the creature and waiting for the right second for it to flail and turn on him again. "C'mon... a little more to the left and..."

A little more to the left? She might be able to help with that. Eyeing Trent and then the creature, she moved up and to her right. She paused, hoping to get it's attention and make it follow, move towards her. "Was that your left or his left?" She asked, her eyes on the beast as its attention turned her way. "Quick.... am I going left or right?"

He glanced up to follow her, taking his eye off the creature that split second... "Left! NO... His left.. your right... go right!" He looked back to see one of the eyestalks turn on him and a larger tentacle, the trunk of the beast and its tail, lurch up from the hole. "Now... now is good, thanks."

"Hey!... You're big ugly and stupid!" She yelled at the beast, tossing one of her smaller blades at him. It sliced into the beast enough to get his attention back to her. She wasn't sure if her insults helped but the loud noise of her yelling had. She dove to her right and rolled, feeling the sting as she was whipped with a powerful blow. As long as it worked and Trent was able to do what he needed to. She moved into a crouch as she was swept with another blow. She used the forced to propell her into a back flip, lashing with a blade as she flew back.

It was enough, he nodded, burying the blade with both hands deeply through the armor-like skin, but the creature was tracking and moved quickly, pulling Trent along. He used the leverage of the sunken blade to pull himself up and launch on top of the creature where she'd been moments before. "A blade, toss me one or two," he called to her, trying to steady himself.

Watching the arms, she took her moment to toss him one of her longer curved blades. She hoped it made it, as she dove aside to avoid a tentacle. She rolled and came up on her feet, keeping the thing as distracted as she could. Of course this meant taking a few hits, as she needed to keep it coming after her.

[Lovely]

The blade was pulled from the air, taking an immediate slice to an arm before being imbedded neatly between Trent's feet, into the supposed skull, then pulled out with a twist as he flipped back to the side to retrieve the longer blade, holding one in each hand, poised for what he hoped was the final flail.

She came around, now that the beast had laid off her, watching it as she approached Trent. Her blade held in her hand ready to back him up. "So is it going to die or what?"

"It had better.. and on second thought, dumping it back in the hellmouth would probably not be good. Can you say feeding frenzy? That's too many too close to the surface for tonight to fight off. Not looking for a blood bath... well I wasn't," he said, looking at the mess of his clothes. He looked up as the creature seemed to twitch again, then did more than twitch, leveraging with the tail at the lip of the maw to propel upwards and land between them, whipping the tail and two undamaged tentacles at them. It appeared blinded and struck out in all directions. "What the f... die already, you sonuva," he said with no small amount of annoyance, going after it casually and swinging rapidly at the tail to knock it off balance.

"Oh spirits of dark night, I call on thee." She cried out holding a hand out towards the beast, while the other swung her sword. From her neck she pulled a crystal and held it in the outstretched hand. "I call the darkness. I call the lightening. I call on the forces of the black void to swallow this abomination!" She cried out to the beast. The dark sky above them swirling and lightening flasing in streaking lines from above. "Move!" She screamed to Trent as she tossed the crystal towards the beast.

She didn't have to yell in that tone more than once. His final swing spliced the tail as he blazed past, causing it to make some multi-toned and wholly unnatural shriek as it lost its ability to stand properly, rolling back toward the maw as Trent flowed in a blink out of harm's way. He pulled the case from the tree branch with a little effort, guarding it from being lost as the storm surge flashed.

"I implore thee as your servant, as your daughter, as keeper of blackness in my soul... take this beast!" She cried as the sky swirled and seemed to dip lower. A brilliant flash of light and the beast disappeared, all that was left was a charred space where the beast had been and her crystal lying in the middle. Everything went eerily quiet as she stood there, watching the now empty space.

"Bet you're a lot of fun at parties," he said, coming out from the cover. "Why didn't you do that to start with?"

She turned to him, her eyes glowing a bright ice blue in the darkness. "Because.." She whispered, something about her seemed... darker, more wicked than before.

"Because she can't, Trent. She shouldn't have now, but that's alright. She'll be fine in a few hours," Gil said finally, coming back into view. "It's alright, Sapphira, you've done very well."

"What? What do you mean 'can't'? She did.. just now... or weren't you paying attention?"

She growled and grabbed Trent from behind. "Shut up and listen to the man." She hissed in Trent's ear. Her eyes moved to Gil, still glowing in that cold way.

"Because it upsets her," he grinned. "Put the nice man down, girl. He's not your dinner tonight. I apologize for the short warning, Trent. I suppose you both needed a little more information. This was a narrow window of opportunity... a nearly forgotten chapter and I was nearly out of supplies. I am thankful to you for making it a ... simpler chore... albeit a messy one."

[Lovely]

He glanced over his shoulder at the girl whose breath was like ice and her words even colder as they blew past his ear. "Okay, so I didn't know. Far be it for me to upset anyone... you can let go now. The numbness is wearing off, thank you."

"Dinner..." She breathed, licking her lips as she gazed at Gil. She growled and blinked, her eyes staying closed for a moment longer then she slowly opened them to look at Trent from over his shoulder. "Would you like some more?" She whispered, her fangs glinting in the moonlight, her eyes looking to his with unearthly hues. She let him go and stepped slowly away, as if fighting something inside herself. Her head turned to Gil and her hand went to her neck, in an almost nervous way. She frowned and felt around her neck as if missing something.

She let go and his hand brushed over his ear, sure that it had been caked in ice, thought it wasn't. Trent wasn't exactly the warmest slag on the slab, in more than one way, but this girl was hellish enough to make even him seem like a new puppy at the moment. He slid off the stained jacket and shirt, not liking the feeling of being a target to anything that would catch the scent, his eyes catching her nervous search at her throat. "I didn't bite you if that's what you're checking."

Her eyes looked up at him confused a moment and then an icy laugh parted her lips. "I dare you to."

"Not in his repetoire, I'm afraid. You're far too lucid and aware, but that's something I'll leave him to explain on his own time. Have you lost your chain? I can have a new one for you in moments, my dear."

She nodded her eyes scanning the ground for the crystal that had been attached to the chain. The chain itself was lost, but the strength of the crystal withstood. "Thank you Gil." She whispered, her breath coming in a cool mist as she seemed more frantic to get the necklace back around her neck.

"Chain? What, is she your pet or something? I didn't think you got into that sort of thing."

"Necklace, Trent... silver chain," the old man glared.

She snapped her head up towards Trent as he made the comment a low growl rumbling. "I am no one's pet!"

He reached to his sleeves for a small case, procuring a bead of silver. He whispered to it as he held it between finger and thumb, putting the case away with his other hand. Once the murmuring was done, the bead seemed to soften in his fingers. His other thumb and finger pulled it, stretching it out into a spidery-thin length that caught the moonlight gently as if Phaedra herself had spun it. "Step closer and raise your lovely hair, my dear. The crystal, please?"

She bent down and closed her eyes, whispering a chant and calling the crystal to her, from where it had fallen. Loosened from the mud and grass where it had been trampled the blue sliver of ice floated to her palm. She closed her hand around it and rose, stepping to Gil. She reached a hand to sweep her hair up, now realizing it had fallen from the upsweep she'd worn it in.

[Lovely]

"Tsk.. don't overdo, now," he cautioned fixing the crystal to the chain as magically as the chain now fastened to her neck comfortably. Once his fingers left it, it solidified and reinforced itself into a sturdy length that almost appeared part of her skin as it moved with her.

He watched the display of magic and Gil's handling of her as if she were more a daughter to him than an mere acquaintance. Gil had told him what she was and that she would be here, but little else. His arms folded in front of his bared chest, his expression glowing in confusion. "Is there some part of this little fairytale you feel I might need to know about here? What's going on?"

She smiled at Gil and touched his hand, a silent thank you, mouthed to him. She turned to Trent and her features softened a tad, appearing slightly less cold. Her eyes still glowed but dimmed a degree. She regarded Trent, as she stayed at Gil's side, like a faithful daughter. Her affection for the only being she'd known since her awakening was clear, and she was fiercely protective.

"Okay, can one of you please explain what this is all about? You set this up, didn't you?"

"A set up? I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," he smiled gently, observing as Sapphira settled into a calmer state. "I asked for a favor and you were both available. I suppose I should properly introduce you. This is my prime student... Sapphira, this is Trent Rossignol, one of the few scribes and knowledge riders left on this plane. He helps me with my work. Do you understand?"

Her eyes slid sideways to Gil and then back to Trent. "Yes." She replied, nodding to Trent. "Prime student.. as if I am a child.." She muttered under her breath.

"Sapphira, please, it's only a precaution. So, Trent. I offer you another assignment. If you're willing to take it on, although you'll need to address that timing issue. Any slower and I'd have lost a leg. Sapphira, I would like for you to stay a while here on this plane and let him show you around. He knows some people I'd like you to meet. They're... like family."

"What? I mean, I understand, but what? Assignments are books and scrolls and digging out old forgotten libraries, Gil. Don't do this," Trent warned, seeing what was about to happen.

"Doesn't want me... see... it's contagious." She folded her arms and stepped away from both men, only one step. "I don't need ..a.... guardian."

Giolla chuckled, the rattle seeming to echo off tree branches as if the wood laughed with him. "Not a guardian, dear girl. Sweeten up a little. And I do want for you to learn more from others now that you're so very aware. I've taught you a great deal, but there are others here you should know. He'll be a friend, not a guardian. If anything, he'll likely need you to protect him."

"Now just a minute. Gil.. you can't do this... I don't nee-..."

"Trent. Please, she's upset and needs balance. That's all I am afforded to tell you. Teach her, introduce her, let her learn."

"Introduce her. That's it? You're making me into an interplanar escort?"

[Lovely]

She spun and face them both her eyes blazing a deeper shade of blue. "Stop it.. stop it both of you... neither one of you wants to be troubled with me any more... so consider yourselves untroubled!" She threw up her hands. "Gil.... you are all I have known.. He doesn't want the burden.. if you can not stay with me... Then I will go on alone."

"I didn't say that," Trent muttered quietly. "It's not a burden... it's just... not what I expected is all."

"Ahh.. there you are. See? Settled. He'll be fine, Sapphira.. just takes him a while to warm up to people," he teased.

Her eyes cast over Trent and she raised a brow. "But he's not warm." She said, looking back at Gil.

"He has his moments, after a fresh feeding, which you both should do, hm? Go.. find a nice deer or perhaps a random adventure in town and talk over dinner. Treat her to a nice evening, my boy. You could use the change."

"Dinner? I am... quite hungry." She eyed Trent again as if still considering him as a meal.

Somewhere between contempt and amusement, his grin formed and he chuckled softly, a hand on his hip as he gazed at the old man. "Alright... fine. An.. 'assignment'... perfect. Okay, so a nice evening? I'm feeling like a fresh kill that doesn't taste of venom... or treachery," he said pointedly back at Gil. He wasn't happy, but his anger was fleeting and the adventurous aspect of the offer was sinking in. He looked back at the girl, not able to really hide his opinion of her beauty and stature, everything that had ever been on his wish list... and Gil probably was laughing himself to pieces over it at the moment.

"I take offence to that venom comment." She said quietly, folded arms and looking slightly defiant with her gently mussed hair.

"It's alright, girl. He'll stop moping in an hour or two and may even enjoy himself. You two run along and I'll clean up here."

He nodded and looked to her eyes, taking a moment for the realization to hit that he'd insulted her. "Sorry... just not used to... venom.. being kissed reall-.. why did you do that?"

"Do what? Oh..." She shrugged and looked at him. "You said he must taste terrible... and well I thought you should have a taste, since I was biting him to help you."

"Thank you," he murmured, rubbing his lip as he thought of the odd tingle. He looked up to watch Gil who was already busying himself and humming about the smaller creature, powdering it down and storing it away. He gently took her by the elbow and started to lead her away. "Maybe you can 'help me' again later," he mused quietly then spoke louder. "Deer? Quail? Hiker? What's your fancy? We seem to have it all up here. He actually smiled a little, though it was more a grin that didn't quite bare his teeth.

She looked back to Gil as Trent led her away, almost with longing and fear. Gil and his 'place' had been all she had known since awakening. She knew his books and teachings and the things he'd brought to her... but this was truly her first time to this plane. "Of course." She said softly. "I'll help anytime..." She turned to the front, her eyes moving rapidly about, taking in all the sights and her other senses soaking everything in. Her eyes still glowed, but were slowly dimming, she glanced up at Trent. "I ... apologise.. This is the right word, yes... for Gil... sort of dropping me on you... you can just go off if you'd rather not have me tagging along."

"Not a chance," he said, smiling. "No need to be sorry... you're fine... really. Did he tell you about cars and boys and gas gauges, by chance?"

"He told me not to eat you." She shrugged, tipping her head and giving him a curious look.

He paused, looking at her a long moment. He hadn't thought that would be a threat, but coming from her, he wondered. "That's good to know... remind me to thank him later, okay?"

"Okay." She nodded. "What sort of creature is a hiker? Are they tasty?" Some of her memories and knowledge was jumbled due to the effects of the ripple on her.

He gave a 'eh-so-so' frown and nodded. "This time of year, you can find some nicely pickled ones. Do you like beer? Ale? Think of a deer and a cheap wine... all in one.. not too bad."

"Okay.. I think I like that better than the fowl." She nodded as she considered the choices that were offered to her.

"I'll let you decide. I don't tend to feed in front of others. Usually have the 'take out' variety, anyway," he said, pulling a blood pack from the pocket of his jacket he carried rather than wearing. "I have another in the car. Here, you can have this one. This is what a hiker kinda tastes like."

"That's.. liquid?... there's no meat?" She pouted slightly, reaching to take the bag from him. She held it up and eyed it, then looked at him. "This is what you eat?"

"Let me show you something.. rather 'feel' something. Give me your hand," he said holding his out to take hers. "This is all I need... actually more than I need."

She let him take her hand and watched him with curious eyes.

[Lovely]

"Now I'm sure Gil told you about creatures like me," he said gently, his eyes focused on hers, watching the ice blue trail over him as he placed her fingers on his chest. His skin was cold and stiff, turning no lighter under her touch as it would have if he were among the living. No pulse surged beneath her palm either. Gil wasn't a vampire, so he didn't know if she'd understand otherwise. "There's a reason I'm 'cold'." He chuckled and the sound echoed hollowly where no air needed to fill his lungs.

"You're dead.. no undead... the walking dead... a vampire." She spoke softly, running through the knowledge in her head. "Not of the living... but stile 'alive', you require blood to sustain... and sunlight is adverse..."

"Girl's quick," he was already liking the way she jumped through references, nodding gently as she rattled the details of his existence. "That's pretty much me all over... except I don't kill to survive... not sustain, anyway. Self defense is different."

"Why not?" She asked the simplest of questions.

"No need, no desire... I once hunted what I now am," he said softly, letting go of her hand. "Doesn't change what a man believes to be true about himself. I've never been a murderer... although I have been in wars as a soldier and there's little difference. A thousand years warring with a small voice in myself that reminds me to feed at all costs and an ever so slightly louder voice that still says 'no...do anything but that'."

"At least you were alive... for that thousand years... in your way of being." She said softly, looking into the darkness.

"I'm sorry. He did tell me a little. You've only been aware a short while? Only a few hundred years?"

"I dreamed... visions and images I can not describe.." She shook her head and looked back to him. "One hundred and fifty years.. since I awakened... all of that time spent with Gil... learning.." She cast her eyes over him. "At least you know... what your life is for... you have something you.. strive for.... I am just a cast off... not meant to be anywhere."

"Aw, c'mon now, don't talk like that," he said gently. "Honestly, I think you got the better end of the deal. You woke up beautiful, strong, powerful, smart... pretty decent bargain for a long nap. He didn't tell me why or how, though. I wish I could tell you more than that. I had no idea he was planning this or I'd have asked him."

Her fingers played with the crystal around her neck and she spoke softly. "Perhaps it's better you don't know."

"Maybe not this minute. There's time. Plenty, really," he said as they emerged to the roadside and his car he cleared from the branches that hid it from view. "I'll take you into town, take your mind wandering for a while, okay? Lots of things to learn about there. You know about wolves, right?"

"Wolves.. werewolves? Predators, flesh eating, smell nasty when wet... full moon.. blah blah...some hate vampires." She watched him clear his car off and smiled. "What an interesting... slow mode of transportation."

"Hey... it's a good cover for taking people around to show them the sights so they can ask questions and not draw too much attention... especially where we're going. She may not look like much, but she runs, okay?"

[Lovely]

"but... but... You actually... drive? Like.. a human?" She looked at him with a questioning expression. "It's... so.. mortal."

"There's a lot I do... like a hu-man," he said, making fun of the pronunciation. "Sure I can run, but why? That's hell on shoes and I actually -like- to drive. Lets me listen to the radio... because I -like- music. And it's convenient...," he said, popping the trunk to stow the soiled clothes and grab a sweatshirt from a duffle. "For carrying sh*t... when you get covered in it." He slammed the trunk a little harder than he meant to in emphasis, giving her a look. "You can run alongside or whatever you do, but I'm traveling in the car. Coming?"

"Sure... I'll try your way.... If you try mine sometime." She seemed unaffected by his display of temper or feeling or whatever it had been.

"Good... nice... thank you," he said, softening in tone and straightening up a little as he unlocked the doors. "What is 'your way' exactly? Vortex? Wind? Time? Blue flame like 'assignment man' back there?"

"Shadows... darkness.... slip in, slip out... you're there." She shrugged, tipping her head to watch him.

He listened, cataloguing the information as he opened the door, motioning that she do the same on her side of the car. "Get in...please," he said, giving her a curious look. He only knew one or two other beings that traveled that way and was curious to find that she did as well. "I have traveled that way once. It was interesting. I'll let you take me sometime, but not tonight, okay?"

She nodded, seeming pleased that he accepted the offer. "Okay... we will go your way tonight." She opened the door and got into the car, looking around the inside, curiously.

"Although it runs fine with them open, it's safer to travel with the doors closed," he said, closing his and nodding that she parrot his action. "Keys... turn... ignition... you may know how the engine works. I don't know if he taught you motors and combustion or not. If not, I'll explain sometime if you want to know. This... is the radio... music... and we're nearly ready." He explained each action as she watched, not certain what she knew or didn't. The turn of the radio volume sent a chaotic rift of heavy metal scratching through the speakers as it and the car warmed up.

Sapphira nodded as he told her things, she laughed softly as the door slammed closed under the slight force of her pull. She squirmed in her seat, looking around at everything, with wide eyed interest.

"Softly. Things on this plane are really somewhat fragile," he smiled. It had taken him some getting used to as well, how not to be overly strong on objects here. "Start asking, I'll do my best." His smile tipped a little warmer as he watched her seeming interest in this small part of his little world. The sharp canines appeared more readily now as he wasn't trying purposely to hide them.

Her eyes lit up as she turned to him, seeing his exposed fangs. She caught his face in her hands, holding him still as she moved in to see him close up. Intent and curious she studied his teeth, what showed. Then let her eyes move over his features, the texture of his skin, his hair, which she ran her fingers through. Then her gaze came to his eyes where it remained a long moment, as if reaching into him with her mesmerizing blues.

[Lovely]

His face, like the skin on his chest, was pale, nearly translucent, and cool to the touch, having an odd resilience. He was never really in need of a shave due to his state of being, but his cheeks were slightly rough like hide, much like the rest of his skin that was tougher than it appeared. His dark hair was usually ignored in some status of unkempt and curled in random soft waves, following her fingers as she wove through it. Darkened amber gems pierced ever-curiously, watching her as she studied him, closing to the sensation of her fingers in his hair for that brief moment, a new chill traveling over his already-chilled frame.

She felt the chill as it seemed to ripple up into her fingers. A most delighted smile came to her face as she leaned to rasp a frozen breath over his neck, to see his reaction.

Trent's eyes shuttered again, tempted to jerk away, but held by her fingers without her needing to grip or force. "Hey... what are you doing?" He whispered slowly, softly, more stating than asking as the ripples continued. His eyes opened to meet her gaze. "When he told you not to eat me, you did promise him you wouldn't, right?"

She laughed, leaning to plant a soft kiss on his lips, in reward for being so accommodating. "Thank you." She let him go and moved back. "I will behave... and yes.. I promise not to eat you.... but... now that you mention it... I should eat soon..." Her hand ran idly along her collar and she gazed at him with a different sort of hunger in her eyes for a moment. It faded as she closed her eyes and sought to control the urges within.

He watched her, brushing his lip with a knuckle absently, as if habit from having fed. A soft grin remained, his eyes following over her as she sat back. "No... thank you. Hell of a lot better without the green gook... or the venom. Feels really nice when I'm not numb, actually," he said softly sending a rattle to clear the unspoken suggestion from his throat before the words came out all wrong. "Soo... yeah.. eating soon. Have you eaten cooked meat? There's this thing here called 'steak'... you might really like it."

"Steak? Cooked... not fresh kill?" She opened her eyes and lunged at him, her mouth coming over his, as her hand slid into his hair. The kiss was demanding, without venom and she wretched herself back, as if forcibly having to pry herself away. "Yes.. steak.. cooked.. whatever... soon.. please.."

"Ahem... yeah... or fresh... sure... whatever we find," he said, licking his lip now, putting the car in gear. She may have promised, but it seemed he might be on the menu one way or another if she didn't get something soon. "You know what... screw it... your way. You need to eat now," he said, pulling back off the road to another small alcove. "Fresh kill.. rabbits or whatever, it's yours, okay?"

A strange sort of growl noise came from her as she crouched in the passanger seat. Her eyes were fixed on him as she nodded slowly. Her mouth worked slowly, lips trembling as the need grew, her eyes begining to glow again.

[Lovely]

"Hey, I'm not dinner, remember? Relax...," he said, feeling the chill rattle through him though she wasn't touching him. He opened the door to peel himself out and look around for the nearest warm blood he could find. "Hang tight... I'll be right back with something for you, okay? You have that pouch, right? Go ahead and suck on that as an appetizer. Should be something near here..."

The sound echoed in the car as she curled back, fighting what was inside her. Her hand gripped the dash as the other searched for the pouch he'd given her. Her eyes remeained locked on him and their glow grew brighter. She located the pouch and it was lifted to her waiting lips. Her teeth piercing into it and her eyes shuttering as she drank in the blood. Suckling greedily, while some dripped down her chin. It saited her slightly, but at the same time, made her crave something solid.

He stepped back from the car, looking to the canopy above and speaking loud and fast, requesting help from the trees it would seem. His senses didn't readily grasp something he could get to fast enough without her help. "Az?! You're my best friend, right? Need a little help here... seems the caterers are running a little late..."

A light laugh filtered from the tree behind him in response, the sheer sound of metal from sheath shrieking into the air. "Give me one reason I should help you. I think you'll like what she has in mind for you. C'mon, Trent.. live a little." She laughed louder, dropping from the tree, watching the girl in the car going slowly mad with so much hunger. "I think she likes you."

"Az.. sweetheart... this is not a good time for games.. she's not exactly in a mood for monopoly, here, okay? C'mon... a little devine fate in action here? A deer? Hell, a skunk... oppossum... I don't f*cking care... she needs food."

The pouch finished off, it dropped to the floor of the car, the sound of her growl filtering out again. Her fingers finding the handle, and the door swung open. She crawled, slinked out of the car in a crouch, her eyes scanning the darkness around her. She was softly illuminated by the blue glow of her eyes.

She pouted, drawing her blade playfully at Trent's shoulder, tipping his chin as the pout turned to a wicked grin. "You know better... I don't work that way. If you're meant to find it... you will." She shrugged and pulled the sword away, sheathing and fading into shadows and underbrush, a lingering chuckle sending forth a light breeze.

The scent was carried on the breeze and he visibly relaxed until looking up to see Sapphira snaking out of the car and coming closer. "Hey... hang on... nearly got it, okay? Just.. hold that thought," as long as possible, he wanted to add. If she could shadow-walk like Phaedra, he was screwed. There was no way he could outrun her and he wasn't sure he could outfight her... sure as hell not if she got her teeth in him with the venom. A thought shuffled through his mind and Phaedra came to mind again. He looked at her as she approached, realizing he'd hesitated too long already, nearly losing the scent. He turned toward it and took off. If nothing else, she'd follow him. With any luck or fate on his side.. he cursed Az's humor sometimes... he'd get to the warm-blood before she caught him.

His motion caught her eye and she was after him in a flash. At first setting upon him with strong legs that carried her quickly behind him. She darted into a shadow and appeared at his side, reaching for him. "Trent..." The icy whisper blew past his ear.

[Lovely]

"Don't... just don't," he warned. He was unarmed except with wits and hopefully a comparable strength. He paused, jogging a sidestep away from her voice, keeping his feet moving toward the warm-blood before it darted further away.

She snarled as he darted away, a blade embedding into a tree as he rushed past. She appeared just behind it, yanking it from the trunk and continuing after him.

"Okay, this is not what I expected at all... Gil... I hope you can hear me you sonuva... you owe me big for this," he hissed to the wind, murmuring a 'voice' spell to it to ensure Gil's ears would hear him. The words resounded, hung in a bubble of blue fog, murmuring in echo to the air as the bubble floated and raced off in search of its intended audience. "Sapphira... I'm ... not.. dinner... cut it out, now. I've just about gotten you something, so chill, babe." He zigged and dodged, keeping his footfalls random and dodging trees. He was near the clearing enough and could smell it strongly now. Two deer, even... thank you, Fate.

She moved after him, her hunger driving her, the darkness pushing the light in her down for the moment. But each time he spoke.. she paused, as if his voice slowed her. His words, his voice, the recently familiar good reaching into her to tug at the light that was driven down and drive the madness back a step. She appeared in his path, just at the edge of the clearing, a mere few feet in front of him. "Trent...." The ice waifted from her, and in another breath it came very softly. "Make it... stop.."

He heard her and calculated the fake and the dodge, making as if to double back from her, but instead it was a slight crouch to launch over her, spinning as he landed to grab the other blade from her side. "Thank you...," he said, throwing her off guard with a kiss to her cheek as she turned on him. "Soup's on, babe... light meat or dark?"

She spun, feeling the brush of his lips to her cheek, pausing a split second. Enough time for him to move, his words hung in the air and her eyes darted to the fresh meat in the clearing. Her eyes moved from him to the deer and back, then again to the deer. It was as if she was torn, debating which to go for, but she stopped pursuit of him for the moment.

Another call from him, this one silently to the goddess of Mercy, was sent forth as he charged into the clearing, descending upon one of the deer with an apology. The blade struck neatly and left the animal in no pain, the scent of the warm flow filling the area quickly. Not certain of her level of hunger, the blade was out and in his hand, thrown expertly at the second as it darted away, only for it to fall at the edge of the clearing, equally and swiftly dispatched. He stood and eyed the girl with a cold stare for a moment. If she still chose him, so be it, but the deer were hers for the taking.

She stared, eyes fixed on him for a long moment, her senses slowly being filled with the warm flow of the kill he'd provided. She disappeared into the darkness to reappear beside him, the whisper of her cold fingers on his cheek and she was gone. At the deer, she crouched and began to devour it, tearing into the flesh, ripping it apart and licking the bones clean.

He stood a moment longer as if frozen in place, his fist flexing with tension and wanting more to pull and rend from the frustration of dispatching the two creatures merely to save himself. While she busied herself on gorging on the first deer, he moved silently to the other, retrieving the blade, whispering a few forgotten syllables of honor and blessing to the beasts from his native celtic tongue he hadn't spoken out loud in centuries since he'd last hunted with his father. He kissed the blade and cleaned it, taking only the blood from the creatures that had spilled onto the metal and nothing more. He moved back to her and dropped the blade by her hand gently. "This is yours. Sorry."

[Lovely]

After several minutes of feasting on the deer, she'd licked it clean, leaving an empty hollow carcass on the ground. Sapphira straightened slowly, her tongue cleaning her fingers dantily. She paused to watch him curiously, her hunger lessened now and the drive, the need... had left her. She lifted her blade and sheathed it. "Why are you sorry?" She tipped his chin with her fingers. "Why don't you eat? What is it that keeps the hunger from you in such a way?" She asked in a soft whisper.

"They're for you... I told you, I don't kill to sustain myself. That voice... it tells me it's wrong and I listen to it. To kill for the tribe.. for the sake of others.. that's somehow okay," he grinned gently, the look in his eyes distant. "I'll be fine. Okay?"

"No.." She said with a soft shake of her head. "I have.." her dark curls bounced as she shook her head. "I am sorry.." Her eyes glowed brightly a moment and her fingers brushed his cheek. "Trent..." She whispered his name and stepped back, heading into a shadow, with the intent to slip away.

"Sapphira? Where are you going? Don't go...," Gil would kill him, himself, but moreover he actually wanted her to stay.

"I have wronged... " She bit her lip, pausing, not quite gone, hanging in the shadows.

"No.. you haven't... doing what demons do, right? I'm sorry that I made you wait too long and drove your hunger. I forget... other creatures... come back out here, okay? You did nothing wrong. I promise you."

"You killed.. because of me... something.. you do not... wish to do." Her arms folded. "You should be angry with me... I attempted to make you dinner." She eased toward him, emerging halfway from the shadow.

"But you didn't, so we're good. Not really sure how I avoided it, but I'm thankful... hopefully you are too. Maybe I am a little angry, but I'll get over it, okay? Mercy was with them, so it's okay. There's more... please... before the scavengers... or the wolves... come, okay?"

She looked to the fallen creature and shook her head. "I can't.... I shouldn't... gorge... I.. no.." Her tongue ran over her lips and she closed her eyes as the scent filled her senses. She froze, her eyes snapping open as something foriegn came with the scent of blood. Her hand reached out to take his wrist. "Get behind me." She whispered, her eyes scanning the darkness for creatures she knew were approaching. Drawn as she was by the scent of blood that filled the air. "How do you feel about trying my way?"

Whatever she sensed, it was at least alive. His other senses didn't pick up anything on the spectral plane and nothing on the demonic scale seemed to creep up that he could tell. His hand motioned for the blade he'd returned to give him something for added defense, just in case, as he listened and slipped into her shadow. Then the scent hit him as well and he watched around them.

Her head tipped, listening to the sounds of the night, or lack of them. "Wolves?" She sniffed, her nose crinkling. The blade came up from the sheath and was pressed into his hand. Her fingers curling around his for a moment as she half turned to gaze behind them. "More approach... they smell you... " She nodded to herself. "Ready or not.. my way." Her arms circled him and she tugged him into the darkness as the howl of the first to reach the field bayed.

[Lovely]

He sensed the air past the heady aroma of fresh deer and nodded as he was swept into darkness, the howl fading and distorting as he was pulled away. His senses swooned and reeled, looking for a foothold on the familiar, finding nothing to grasp in the darkness. "Where... where are we? Where are we going?"

"Shhh now.." She whispered, sounding far away, though she held him, keeping him anchored to her in the shadows. "Where the shadows fade to." She offered in reply to where they were. She pulled out beside a tree a few feet from his car. Her arms looped around his waist as she guided him out. "Here." Was her answer to where they were going. "Your car..." She tipped her head back to smile a little. Listening to the distant sounds of the wolves.

As they emerged, he wasn't sure he'd closed his eyes and opened them again, or if the darkness was simply lifted from them as they now stood in moonlight near the road and the car. Sapphira smiled, without the tinge that she was eyeing a buffet this time. It prompted a curl on his lip as well, his gratitude for the assistance carried to her with a gentle kiss. "Thank you... again."

She was surprised by his kiss and enticed... that part of her hunger had been pushed down but not nearly fufilled. She held close to him for a moment longer, before pulling back. "We should be going... the night grows shorter and I shall need to find a place of rest... do you not need to be in during the day?" There was still time before dawn, but Sapphira needed a safe place and wished to see him to his own. She was unsure where she was intended to stay, upon this plane.

He shrugged. "I can manage some light, but yeah, inside is good. I tend to freckle," he teased, giving her an odd grin, a bit of humor and sarcasm she might not recognize. "I'll take you to the closer of the two, if you don't mind a small hovel full of too many books? Actually, it'll probably feel much like home, huh?"

Sapphira chuckled. "I can see why Gil likes you." She said softly, she nodded. "I am humbled that would offer your dwelling to me... after my display." Gil and the books had taught her some about manners and pleasantries, though she was not well practiced, her repetoire with Gil different from hers with Trent.

"He asked me to look after you," he shrugged. "You didn't eat me and it'll be daylight soon. We can figure out if you're staying after we get there, okay?" He somehow hoped she would, but knew she was no happier with this 'assignment' at the moment that he'd been initially.

She smiled and looked to the sky with a nod. "Yes." She answered, though not specifying what she meant.

He nodded, watching her curiously then looking up to the canopy where Az had been amusing herself with watching. He mouthed a 'thank you' to the branches, answered with a cool breeze and the sounds of morning birds that chartered toward them and away from the wolves. The wolf scent was carried strongly... several of them and they'd remain through daylight. No going back there now. He turned to the car and checked that it had no other visitors since the door had been left open. All was fine and he motioned for her to take her seat again. "Yes... meaning... what exactly?"

She got into the car and this time closed the door beside her. "Yes... I will go with you.. stay with you.. if you wish me to." She turned to look at him, a bit of uncertainty in her eyes.

"We'll see how things go. No promises, okay? I'll look after you either way, but where you stay... you may like the Montgomery more, but we'll go to my place in town for the day."

She nodded, turning away from him, her gaze went to the window and her arms folded over her middle. Gil would be angry with her for upsetting his friend and that bothered her, as did the fact that she had upset Trent. The light in her allowed her to feel things like shame and regret, and she felt them now... and she did not like it.

[Lovely]

"Hey," he said softly, resting his fingers on her knee before reaching to shift. "We're good... no wolves... fed plenty... I think, aren't you?... be home soon. We can talk then, okay? Sapphira?"

She didn't look at him or speak, nodding her head again. She tried to expell the unwanted feeling in her chest, but it seemed that it was not going away. After a moment she decided to say softly. "I have fed enough, yes." So he would know he did not need to fret over that.

He moved his hand from her and shifted into gear, the idling engine roaring back to life as they took to the road in the thinning dark. The music broke the silence, but he kept it low, letting the small amount of blood he'd taken work its way through his system and pound in his ears without the speakers adding to it. He looked further into the distance than the lights allowed, keeping watch for the wolves and for any of the other night creatures that might be looking for either or both of them.

She turned after a time of silence, her eyes had been scanning the darkness as well. "Do you often listen to music?" She asked, her curiosity about him growing and over powering the feeling of shame. She glanced at the radio and then back to him.

He glanced to her briefly, then back to the road, concentrating on something. "Yeah... sure. Only when I drive. It takes me places... reminds me of things."

"What things? How does it take you places?" Her eyes went back to the radio and her fingers reached out to touch the radio, gently.

He glanced to it and showed her how to change the stations and find different sounds, rolling the old dial and settling it to a 'classical' station. "Like this... this piece was written by a man in this realm about the time you became aware. In my mind I see the faces of people I knew or places I've been. The piece was written for a Spanish Duke... I met his niece and had dinner with them... and about three dozen other nobles, but I was there."

"Must... be nice.. to have such memories." Her voice sounded a bit wistful. She bit her lip and let her hand drop from the radio, listening to the melody that came from the speakers. "What did Gil tell you about me?"

"Not a whole helluva f**king lot," he murmured, keeping his eyes to the road. "He said... meet me at the hell mouth and don't be late. Miss Diremoon... a student of mine... will be there. She's young, Trent, he said... but don't let that fool you. She's had a long sleep, but I've taught her a great deal," he said, mimicking a poor impersonation of the older man. "He told me how long you've been awake... and the part about being a demon... that's about it."

"Oh... Did he mention how long I was asleep for? Where I was? Why? Anything... that might actually be helpful?" She managed a bit of a smile for him, though it was barely there.

He chuckled and looked at her finally. "Are we talking about the same Giolla-Caeimhghain? He won't tell a story when it can unfold instead. He knows, but he's not telling... or at least he didn't tell me anything."

"A thousand years." She said, her gaze turning to the window again. "Because... I was created... with too much darkness. In order to have light within... to have some balance... " She closed her eyes. "What thing am I? To be so horrid?"

[Lovely]

"Too much darkness? Uh huhn... sooo.. you're not now? I didn't know there was a gauge like that for demons... thought you all just.. 'were' ... good, bad, dark... whatever."

"Created from two very strong dark halves.... too dark... She went to Gil for help, so that it could be taken from me... Kiefer and others helped to create light within me." Her voice remained soft, meloncholy.

"She who?" He looked at her, trying to understand. "Kiefer? Huh.That's some serious 'good' to balance just about anything."

"The one who gave birth to me... mother." She replied, tracing her nails along the window glass lightly, smiling as trails of fog followed them. "Apparently this great good needed a thousand years to set within me to balance the darkness."

That was impressive.. apparently a great deal to overcome if it took those measures. "Maybe it's a good thing you were made to sleep through it... any other time I've seen good forced into darkness to negate it, it's been a wholly unpleasant, deadly and entirely foul scene to behold. Doubt you'd have turned out nearly so well otherwise."

"I was... tried to.. make you dinner, and you think I turned out well?" Her head turned to him a bit of surprise crossing her features.

Trent chuckled. "Told you... I wasn't hunting.. that's not something I do. Not going after a demon for being what they are. Just... don't worry about it. Gil entrusted you to me... I can therefore trust you... I just learned something really important and that's when you say you need to eat.. you mean 'now'.. that's all." He thought about it a moment. "I take that back. You turn into a Nosferat and the discussion's over.. those I hunt... that's it."

"Perhaps we can share a less.. hazardous dinner... sometime?" She offered, invited with a gentle voice. Her blue eyes dimmed to a more human hue, though still unearthly. "Why do you hunt them?"

"Nosferat? They're ugly and smell bad... that's only the surface. Honestly, my family.. our village... were once hunters... centuries ago in what's now Scotland. God fearing folks, all of us human and afraid of the dark. Not the dark itself but what came from it. The Nosferat came there, hordes, not the two or three you see now at any given time. They killed for sport and fed on each other. Can't think of anything closer to the purest evil when you're a mere human... until you become one of them and learn so much more. They killed my family... my brothers.. my sister... all the cattle... the children. Tiny, innocent children... I can't forgive them for that and never will."

She listened to the sound of his voice, the anguish was well hidden, but her sensitive ears picked it up. "Children.." She echoed in a soft whisper. She chewed her lip and reached to place her hand on his knee. "I'm sorry... that you, your family suffered so.." The heart in her that had been wrapped in Kiefer's love for a thousand years, warmed and opened suddenly to him, as it had once done with Gil.

Yes, they had suffered and he'd been made example of to watch. He shook his head. "Doing what they do, Sapphira. It's wrong of me, but damn me to the Hell they put me in, I earned this curse," he spat quietly. "We killed them by the dozens because we were afraid. They retaliated... fought back... and chose an example.. me. One to remember the massacre... they made me what they are. Doomed to relive and remember the screams for eternity as everyone was slaughtered." That was the memory he was given.. when he'd woken from the hunger following the change... when Tarka had found him and the Nosferat were driven off.

[Lovely]

She curled in her seat, tucking her legs under her, and watching him. Her hand tightened on his leg and she brushed her other hand, curled fingers over his cheek. "This is why.. you did not feed with me? Why you fight what you are... why you hate it and hunt them..." She closed her eyes a moment. "If I could take this pain from you.." Of course she knew she could not do such things, she inhaled deeply. "You do not smell bad at all.." Her eyes opened narrowing on him slightly. Part of her training was to be able to recognise a myriad of scents her senses would pick up.

His gaze came back to the here and now, flashing only a moment as her fingers met his skin. "Thanks," he muttered. "Sorry... you don't need my life story. You're still trying to learn your own."

"I know the story... as it was recorded in the scroll and books... though not easy to find. Gil showed me.... I do not know anything besides Gil and the books... I want to learn.. to know.. you.. if you will allow me?"

"Well.. the books and scrolls... that is me... or a lot of it anymore. That -is- what I do. Gil taught me... so did Tarka.. magic and how to update the histories. Azrathene... the one I mentioned.. I... don't know if you saw her, but she's a scribe as well."

A slight hissing noise followed the mention of Tarka's name. Sapphira had yet to met the man who was legend. She was curious, hostile, wanting, frustrated.. confused about what she felt, what she should feel. Clearing her throat softly she turned at the mention of Az. "Something in the trees.." She smiled. "Yes?"

He grinned and nodded, "Yeah... something like that. She likes you, by the way."

"She... why?" Her head tipped in a curious gaze.

"Good question," he murmured, realizing a moment after that she might misinterpret that as an insult. "I mean... who knows why she likes or chooses what she does. She's... how can I explain... like Kiefer.. somewhat. Where Kiefer is 'good' and all things belonging to it, Az is 'fate'... chance.. the 50/50 girl. But I've known her just as long as I've known Ta-... you... don't like Tarka, do you?"

"I do not know him.." She pouted a bit. "I do not want to know him!" She nearly spat the words. "No.. I was wrong.. should not have come here.."

"What? Why? Because of him? He's only one man, Sapphira... and he'd tell you that... just a man," he shook his head. One man who managed to hit the histories in such a grandiose manner to become legend. He was still working on that.. fixing the histories at Tarka's request, except the really, really good ones, he chuckled to himself. "What's gone wrong? Why shouldn't you have come? You're learning... you're being entertained... you're away from that old codger and all his books...." He teased. His world was a mirror of Gil's, although he didn't sport as many years.

"I like that old codger?" A bit of an affectionate smile came to her lips, but it faded. "Tarka... yeah.. just one man.. one man.." She repeated softly, her gaze drifting to stare out the window and a cool sigh blew out. "I don't know if I can do this... I don't know what Gil expects... why here? why so close to him?.. with someone he knows?" She seemed to be asking the air, to be slightly lost...

"You're losing me with the 'he's and 'him's here... so close to who? Me? Tarka? You're not afraid of him, are you?"

"HIM! Tarka... why would Gil.. so close? Doesn't he understand... to be so close... and not.." She threw her hands up in frustration. "I am not afraid of him." She defended. "Why should I fear my... " She bit her words of, seeking to regain control of the emotions that flared, her eyes starting to softly glow, but receding again.

[Lovely]

Her what...? His gaze washed over her between glances to the road. "Okay... so, not afraid. What then? Anger? I'm not getting something here and this is how I learn... if it means learning not to pry, I guess, but if there's something I need to know here... now's a good time to bring it up, huh? Tarka's.. he's just him."

"Just him? So easy for you.. you who has known him so long while I was forced not to.. to be kept away, to sleep and not.. to never know.. or feel.. Now I am awake... and I feel... oh do I feel.." She closed her eyes, her hand resting over her chest, fingers splayed then curling to grip the crystal. "It hurts.. and I don't know how to ease such an ache.. why does it ache like this.. when I have never known him?" A tear rolled softly down her cheek, but only one. "How do I ease this... longing, when I do not understand it?"

"I don't know," he said softly. "I didn't mean to... look, I'm sorry. I just... I've never seen anyone act like this at the drop of his name, okay? Don't worry about it. And we're almost back in town. Do you need more food? You didn't get to finish back there."

"No.. no more food.. I am no longer hungry." She curled and folded in on herself. Her chin resting on knees that bent up to her chest. "I want Gil." She whispered, longing for the man.. who was like a father... she sometimes wished he really was.

"Well we're not going back there tonight. Daylight's too close and we'll be at my apartment soon, so I guess you'll just have to put up with me, okay?"

She nodded, wrapping her arms around her bent legs. "It's... not you.. don't think I don't want you.. just.. " She shrugged and tipped her head to gaze at him.

Boy if that didn't hit his ears strangely. He tried not to let the thoughts show as her words muddied them. "Trust me.. you'll feel right at home, okay?"

Somewhat of a chuckle came lightly from her and she gave him a slight smile. "Right at home... Trent... I think I like you."

The muddied thoughts muddied further and turned a welcome shade of crimson that his face would have turned too if he'd had more of the reddening dye in his veins to manage it. Something familiar about her and the way she spoke trickled over his memory like a small spring, no one drop staying still enough to grasp. She reminded him of someone so close.. or maybe several someones, but no faces or names made themselves known to clear the mystery. "Thanks again. Flattery... not used to it."

She shook her head, her smile slowly brightening a little. "Not flattery... just the truth."

He scoffed gently, his grin curling on one side. His attention diverted to the local streets, keeping an eye out for the junkies and the wanderers who frequented his area. His need was growing and his senses were beginning to get dulled by it. He'd need to feed on something soon.

[Lovely]

She watched him, watching the streets and turned her attention to them, but only briefly. She went back to watching him, noting the subtle changes that would go unseen by most. She studied him a bit more intently and used her senses to gather more information. He needed to feed, what he had taken from the deer was not enough.. barely a taste and it would not do.

His eyes darted about the road as he pulled into his lot. It was devoid of lights, most having been broken by stones and bats. The building closed in around the lot, providing some protection from the morning light if he lingered too long outside. He nodded that they could get out and pulled himself from the car, seeming fatigued and weary.

She watched him with growing concern and paused as she realized this. She was worrying about him... damn the 'heart' that Kiefer had created in her. So quickly to becoming fond of him... like she had Gil... would it be like this with all? But there was definate differences between what she felt about Gil and what began to rise for Trent. Emotions were annoying and perplexing things, she decided. A light hand on his arm and a bit of smile, cool blue eyes meeting his as she motioned to the building. "This is where you live?" Her hand slipped to take his arm, to settle at his elbow as she walked beside him.

"Cave sweet cave more or less," he nodded. "Down the steps there. And look... ol' Thomas... here to wish me a good morning. Such a good lad." He pointed out the feet that stuck out beneath the papers in back of the dumpster. "If you'll excuse me a minute." He moved to the heap of man, crouching over him in a manner that would clearly be him taking a sip from the man's arm before cleaning the wound closed and slapping the man about the cheeks to wake him up.

She waited, a respectable distance away, but clearly seen and able to see what he was doing, no need to crowd. Again she watched him take barely a taste of the man and then close the wound. How could he survive on such small amounts? She shook her head slightly, wondering how he managed to have his physique instead of being gaunt and hollow. Then she wondered why she was thinking about his physique and the glimpse she'd caught of him as he had changed his shirt by that car. Then she realized that she was smiling while thinking about him.. and more so about him with his shirt off. "Yeah.. I do like you." She whispered to herself, not intending him to hear, though his sharp ears would probably pick up her softly spoken words. She watched him with intrest as he dealt with the man.

The man grogged and flailed in a semi-drunken sweep to push Trent away. "C'mon Tom... daybreak... time to go home now or I'm taking you in to the drunk tank." He said it with a tone of 'here we go again' as if this was a daily routine. The man grumbled incoherently and opened a lazy eye partially to spy on him and groan as he lazed back to his comfortable pile of papers and trash bags. "You've got an hour, Thomas. I see you out here, you're on the report... fourth time this month." Trent grinned and stood back, brushing the strong scent from his nose and cleaning his lip. He didn't seem to be as fatigued as moments before as he turned to her to lead her down the steps. He wasn't going to acknowledge her words, but he had heard them, grinning to himself. "After you," he said, and arm motioning to the steps and the single apartment at the bottom with the foil in the windows.

Sapphira looked down to the apartment door and to the windows. "People do not think it odd.. the decoration?" She asked softly as she stepped down, before him. Of course she assumed it was to keep the harmful sun away, but what would others of this realm think of it? She waited by the door for him, her eyes trailing over him, perhaps lingering too long.

He shook his head, "Not when they know you work the night shift." He pointed out a few other windows that were similarly, though not as thoroughly blotted out in the building. "Far as they know, I still work for the Police," he whispered. "Not busy slaying 'things that go bump and boo in the night'... no one notices, to be honest."

"oh." She bit her lip lightly, a bit of smile curling her lips. "Are you going to slay me?" She asked in a teasing voice, raising an eyebrow at him.

"I don't know," he teased. "You haven't bumped anything or said 'boo' yet. Although grrr.. growl and snarl are right up there."

[Lovely]

She stepped to him, pushing his shoulder with hers and gently bumping against him. "Boo." She whispered near his ear.

"Yup, well there ya go... guess I'll be slaying you now," he mused, kicking down the steps a little more lively now. He unlocked the door and pushed it open in a fluid motion as if no key were involved.

"Slay me...." Her smile brightened as she watched him and then stepped into his apartment. "Come on.. just a little?" She teased with a slight pout.

He stopped in the front room, surrounded by piles of books and manuscipts, random bits of armor and weaponry lining the walls and leaning on the sparse furniture. "Maybe later... first things first... please come in... an invitation... it should allow you to cross the warding spells." She'd already crossed as he spoke and he looked a bit bewildered. Only Tarka... Phae.. Az... he counted on his one hand, thinking who could cross yet she passed without trouble. He shook his head and determined that Gil had thought of that, allowing her to pass unhindered.

"What?" She looked around quickly, catching the expression on his face. "Have I done something?"

"Huh? Um.. no, no not at all. Just thought I'd... huh," he paused, confused still and shrugged it away. He'd have to redo that ward later to be sure it was still effective. "Anyway, if you'll close the door, you'll see... nice, dark... Gil-like," he grinned, motioning to the far-too many books and papers in far too small a space, must, dust and all.

She closed the door, her eyes softly glowing in the darker room. She glanced around and nodded, stepping carefully into his living space. Sapphira smiled softly, her eyes taking everything in and already forming ideas of how to help him organise the chaos. Her gaze moving lovingly over the volumes, both old and newer, the stacks of papers, the familar smell. She chuckled a gentle sound parting her lips, moving she wrapped her arms around Trent's waist and hugged him. With a genuine smile she tipped her head to look at him. "I like it.." She paused and nodded again. "Thank you."

"Home away from home, I guess," he grinned down at her. "Glad you approve since you're stuck here with me until tonight."

Her lips pursed slightly. "What will I do till then?"

"I dunno. How are you with research? Oh, hey, you know languages.. great," he smiled wider as he remembered the volume that had been giving him fits. "Maybe you can help on this one." He reached to a large palm-leaf bound volume, still soft and green, the pages still cool and damp. It was new, as far as direct time went from day to day, but the contents would reveal the age it had been brought here from, a dialect from somewhere in the Pacific, hundreds of years old.

She shook her head, unable to stop the laughter. "Oh dear you are like Gil.. in a more attractive body." She took the volume and glanced over it quickly, she nodded. "Alright... I'll see what I can do with it."

[Lovely]

His face fell as he donned a defensive expression, fearing he'd said something awful without realizing, trying to shrug off the back-handed compliment. "What? It's a newer dialect than most, but I can't find the connection to the current language of these islands. It disappeared whatever it is and I'm not about to cast anything from it until I know exactly what it says. Is that so wrong?"

She looked over at him, giggling softly and setting the book down. She took his face in her hands and kissed his lips lightly, to shush him. "I meant it in a good way.. being like Gil. I am very, very fond of the man. But the books... first thought went to the books.. like Gil." She smiled, holding his face in soft hands.

"And the second thought?" He grinned, turning to kiss her fingers. He was used to teasing with... now that was odd, the name escaped him. He thought about it more and wrestled with the feeling that he was forgetting something bigger. Even the face escaped him as he tried to remember interacting in such a way. Maybe it was just Az. That had to be it, he thought.

She smiled and watched in wonder as he kissed her fingers, liking the sensation and affection, very much. "Din.. breakfast.... You.." She faltered a little, her fingers caressing softly.

"Nah, I don't taste very good. Honest. I'll be sure to have a doe or maybe a stray dog here later for a snack for you, okay?" He winked and pulled her fingers from his face gently, not immediately letting go of her hand.

"I.. thank you.. Not what I meant." She shook her head, her fingers curling around his hand. "I was thinking of you.... " She closed her eyes, why had she said that? Because it was true.. "You need to eat."

"Me?" He shook his head. "Not really hungry. I just had a little. I'm fine."

"Just had a little.. why? You barely have the taste in your mouth and you call it a meal..."

"I don't call it anything. I especially try not to draw attention to it, alright? I'll be okay.... fine," he murmured. He tapped at his chest, realizing he wasn't wearing his jacket and that his pocket and pills were out of reach. He stepped to the window, looking through the blinds that covered the peephole in the foil, seeing enough daylight to be a problem for getting to the trunk right away. He sighed and moved back to the kitchen, pausing a moment before opening the fridge. "Alright, but only because you insist," he defended while digging into his stash in the fridge to pull out a chilled donor pack.

She folded her arms and watched him, a look of genuine concern on her face. "Trent.." She started, but stopped, she didn't understand. "I do insist.. " Her softly glowing eyes raking over him. "You need your strength.. and the way you've fed tonight.. I am suprised you are standing."

He shrugged and glanced over his shoulder as he pulled a clean cup from the shelf and put warm tap water in it, resting the pouch in it to heat slowly. "It's just what I do," he said, standing only by means of the counter holding him up now that he had the opportunity to let it. "Tom's a good guy. He needs to lay off the mad-dog a little, but he's good. That's really all I need... usually." His 'usual' didn't normally consist of shadow walking and dispatching baby Beholder demons, however.

"I do not care about Tom." She said honestly, stepping closer to him and leaning to whisper. "You're barely standing... I could take you swiftly if I chose to, right now... think about it." Her voice was softly threatening, warning.. but also honest. Her stance remained relaxed as she watched his face to see if her point had been understood.

[Lovely]

"But you won't," he grinned. He hoped he was right. She'd fed. She couldn't possibly need more. It had been a whole buck and the beginning of the doe before they'd left. "What? I'm... look... see? Here... in the cup, alright? It'll be just a minute." He shrank away a little, not certain she wouldn't try to fight him just to prove her point. He disguised it in an elaborate stretch, feeling the fatigue digging deeper into him, though refusing to admit it.

"You feed so little.. barely enough to keep yourself erect.. Why would you leave yourself so prone.. so open..?" She edged closer, eyeing him with the icey eyes that seemed to see into his depths.

He turned to her, his expression partly amused. "Did he teach you to talk like that or do you understand what you really just asked me?"

"Who.. what?" She tipped her head to the side, pausing her steps, just shy of him.

He chuckled softly. "Alright, yes you asked how I could eat so little, but still remain standing. How you asked it was entirely different, asking about my... stamina, really."

"Stamina.. your endurance for rigorous physical activity? And... how is that?" Her hands planted on the counter, on either side of him and she smirked slightly. Her eyes closed as she leaned and took his scent in, humming close to his skin, over his neck.

"Fine," he parroted again, finding her closeness unnerving yet welcomed. A flash of something ran through his vision as if she were someone else for that brief instant. The ghosts weren't being their usual straight-forward selves. This vision, the feeling... it all eluded him yet sat in his memory like a shadow in the corner, a certain chilling deja-vu with it that he couldn't make sense of. "D-... do you... you didn't just ask me that a minute ago did you? Or sometime earlier?"

"I don't believe I did.." Her brow furrowed and she brought her face away from his neck, her gaze searching his. A certain level of hunger cursed through her, her eyes slightly aglow. "Are you distressed?"

He shook his head and folded his arms between her and himself, working the chill out slowly. "Not distressed, just remembering, or ... almost remembering something. Having a hard time with that lately."

"Perhaps if you weren't starving yourself, you'd have a better grasp on your faculties." She countered, watching him fold his arms and taking a step away from him.

His gaze held hers steadily, a barely noticeable twitch in his eyelid reacting to the slight. "I'm not ... look, I'll eat, alright?" His hands lowered to his sides on the counter, his fingers drumming lightly in agitation.

"Stop it.." She chided gently, putting her hands on her hips. "You have to eat... Trent... " Her voice was soft as her fingers lifted and caressed his cheek.

"I will... I do.. honest. Just not right now, okay?"

"No... Now!" She stamped her foot, insisting and then stepped closer to him.

[Lovely]

"S'resh n'a van'u akm'ori'nd'a," he hissed, cursing out some ancient tongue, glaring at her. "Okay, if it'll make you happy." His throat dry and the thirst coming stronger without the pills to keep it at bay. "I'll drink it... don't give me that look," he warned, watching her watch him as he let it sit in the sink.

She took another step towards him, her fingers caressing his cheek and then sliding into his hair, she was nearly standing against him now. "You don't like this look..?"

"Like th-... yeah, it's fine. Why? Oh... no, that's a phrase... I meant... like.. don't look at me like that, you'll make me feel guilty and I'm not standing for it... make sense?" He swallowed coarse air against a burning throat, her fingers adding more chill to his already cool skin in waves. "The-...there's nothing wrong with your look at all."

She chuckled and pulled him closer to her. "Trent.." She whispered, her voice pulling him to her. Her hand reached behind him for the, now warm, pouch. She took the pouch to her mouth, piercing it gently and pulling the blood to her mouth, it soaked her lips and dripped down her chin. Gently, but firmly she pulled him to her kiss, to share with him the flavor and sustinance.

"Mmm?" He hummed the response only to have it muffled further by sanguine lips, the salted rusty fluid alive on her mouth and tongue. He took the blood from her mouth gently, savoring both her and the offering. Beneath her fingers she might feel the slight temperature surge. He pulled back gently, watching to the side only a moment to relieve the mug of water and take the pouch from her to fill it instead, abandoning it to drain into the cup as his attention turned back to her silently, fingers to either cheek as he pulled her closer in an ernest, eager kiss.

She felt him warm, but pouted gently as he set the pouch aside. His kiss was welcomed and returned lavishly. One arm wrapped around him, her head pulling back a little to scold him. "You eat like a bird!"

"I said I'll drink it... but I want this first," he murmured, a light smile getting lost between them as he brought her to his lips again, lingering in the sensations. Although timid, he had a certain tender skill and knowledge that woke slowly.

She felt a bit of the light rise in her as he smiled and she trembled slightly in his arms. The sensations running through her, as her other arm wrapped around him.

"Do you like this look?" He teased, his grin staying fixed and kind, his ever-searching eyes looking into the depths of hers as far as he could see. He didn't move his gaze as the mug found his fingers, being lifted in gesture so she'd see it before he raised it to his lips to take another mouthful.

She nodded and returned a smile of her own. Those blue eyes sparkling in their dim glow as she gazed at him. "Yes... very much." She let him drink, her hand shifting and tugging his shirt so it could slid beneath to rest on his chest. "Makes you warm... " She chuckled lightly. "I like you warm.."

He chuckled and shook his head... 'warm' and 'vampire' just didn't seem to go together. Taking another small mouthful, he offered it to her in return to share it with him.

[Lovely]

She wanted him to eat, but would not decline to share. Her lips brushed over his and then clung softly. A tickling tongue slipped past his lips and she lapped gently at the blood that he held. But also pushed it with the devilish tongue so that most of the liquid flowed down his throat as she kissed him deeply.

Like a bird, he chuckled to himself as he was 'fed' by her, although he didn't mind the manner, keeping her close to him long after the last drop had rolled its way down and started to course through him. Letting go, he pulled away gently, taking the mug to finish off the rest. So much, so fast, it was like a drug to him. He turned to her with a glow in his eyes that was rarely seen, the deeper-rooted hunger building and breaking free as the power of the life-giving fluid surged and eddied in his veins.

The hand on his chest could feel as he warmed more and when he turned with the glow in his eyes, it was as if she herself lit up with delight. Her other hand brushed his cheek and then curled into the soft waves of his hair. She pulled him to her mouth to saite the rising hunger that was growing for them both.

It was rare he took so much at one time, hating the rush that came over him yet welcoming it... longing for it. Smaller sips and the long gaps between afforded him a control he was losing now, the amber gems glowing more with a red fire of want... a base and brutal want... focusing on her in his arms yet she was not close enough. His fingers sought edges to slide beneath to feel her and touch her with fingertips that tingled and ached with warmth.

She shivered in reaction to the sensation of his warm fingers on her skin. She arched beneath the touch, pressing herself to him, letting his fingers slide over her silken skin. The blue glow of her eyes shuttered as her mouth took his. She wanted him, he'd awakened that hunger and she would be filled with him. Her fingers shifted to his open collar and brushed over his neck, then began work on his buttons. A sound like a soft moan or growl was muffled in her mouth that was eagerly, exploring his.

The kitchen is not where he intended to continue this non-verbal discussion. He reached to tip her knees onto his arm but a swoon knocked him off balance, nearly tumbling them both to the floor.

She caught her balance and kept ahold of him as well, tipping them back so she rested against the counter and he against her. Her lips brushed his neck and she whispered to his ear. "Where to?" As she leaned to scoop him up.

"This isn't right," he chuckled lightly. "Put me down. The guy carries the girl here, okay? And I don't care... right here...," he shifted to drop back to standing.

She let him go and gazed at him, with a curious and hungry look. Though it was easy to tell the sort of hunger it was, she leaned back to his lips. "Here is good." She whispered, her lips brushing his softly, as she tried to hold back the desire to throw him down and take him.

Try as she might, he leaned into her, growling gently. He forced air through himself, letting it fall lightly over her cheek and neck as he followed it to taste her sweet skin.

[Lovely]

Her fingers dug into his shirt, his hair, wherever they could grasp as she arched into him, pulling him closer.

He nipped softly, not yet breaking skin, but warning of it as the hunger grew stronger, leaning her to the counter and slowly drawing her to the floor.

She slid down to the floor, letting him hover above her. Her resistance to her own hunger, that built, growing weaker as she yearned for him. She pushed the shirt, who's annoying buttons had been undone, off his shoulders, trailing with fingers and mouth where she could reach.

The feeling was nearly foreign, but memories triggered and built, shrugging away the cloth and leaning into her fingertips. The heat flowed through him, molten through the iced passages that had forgotten feeling and want. A hiss declaring his want flowed from him as he pulled her to the floor completely, setting his lips to hers again.

Her lips parted to welcome his kiss, hers full of desire. The light touch of her hands, growing quickly more firm and wanton. She'd not mated since her awakening, her isolation spent with Gil, but the want and need had been there. Gil had taught her to repress it and helped her to do so by other means as well while she resided with him... but now 'free', the maddening desire burned through her.

Something in how he moved was purely predatory and thoroughly unlike the man who had regretted killing a mere buck and doe. His senses absorbed her, pulling her to him from every inch he could grace with his tongue or touch.

She gasped softly, the feel of his fingers, his tongue on her exposed skin, was madness and bliss at once. She pulled him as close as the could be, sliding along him with hands and mouth as well, feverent in her longing to explore and feel him.

Paper thin and razor sharp, nails that rarely dug clung to the fabric that prevented his contact, rending through it slowly as he clawed to get at her, driven further mad by the heat that raged in him. Frustrated that the task was too slow, his fingers grasped roughly to pull the weakened layer of cloth from her in ribbons, descending with fervent lappings over her breast, moving downward to take her more into his senses, confounded again at the waist with more obstacles of cloth that shredded away without thought or concern, his exploration continuing with increasing demand.

She wiggled under him gently, helping to shift away the material which covered her. Her back arched as he lapped, offing him all he would take of her, his attention driving her wild. Her fingers reach, garsping and tearing where she could to make him as bare as he had her. Her eyes shuttered, fingers diving into his hair as she reeled with sensations.

He didn't notice or didn't care, seeking only to have her, feeling he'd burst into flame if his need were not soon quenched. A memory a thousand years old curled into every niche and commanded him, pulling her around him as he moved to settle and delve, taste, taunt and take every bit of her he could, his teeth marring her shoulder as he slid.

[[Scene edited for content - unedited version posted at our sister site.. edited version continues below.]]

[Lovely]

**** A Bit Later****

The effects of the blood were wearing off, but he was genuinely enjoying the active participation in her attention, taking a moment to bestow some attention on some of her softer and more sensitive parts.

She hummed very softly and curled around him, enjoying the attention. The hunger was no longer driving her mad, though his attention still caused wonderful sensations to ripple through her.

Piercing gently, he only lapped a few drops, letting the tingle of the warring good and bad in her... the sweet and bitter... work over his tongue.

She gasped, her head turning to the side, her teeth gently taking her lip as he built sensation upon sensation. "What... sort of magic is this?" She breathed, it had to be.. she could hardly move.

He smiled, kissing over her and drinking her softly as he made her writhe. "No magic... just me," he muttered.

Her fingers worked into his hair. "you.." She panted softly. "... are... amazing..." Her body arched slightly under his attention.

The blood was wearing off more and Trent's own blissful exhaustion was leading him toward rest. He left her wanting and slid up playfully to lay beside her, curling his arm under his head. He ran his fingers up her chest to her chin to pull her into a kiss.

She squirmed a bit as he moved away and left her wanting. Her lips met him in pouty kisses, her hand sliding over his arm.

"Amazing? No... it's just me," he insisted, chuckling a little and trying to kiss the pout away. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong.." She leaned to the kisses that had to end in order for them to speak.

Heavy eyes watched her in the dim light. He didn't know how long he'd been playing or what day it even was. Normally, going to the limit, he could manage to push without feeding, he now had gone the opposite extreme and felt gorged and lethargic still from it. He rolled to his back, but stayed close to her kisses.

She snuggled herself to him, curling and draping partly over him. Her lips still bestowing tender kisses, as the aching slowly eased off. She wanted more, but he needed rest, as did she. Sapphira watched his face, between lingering kisses and felt the smile touch her lips. He made her feel something deep inside, that she was unsure of, she'd let it be for now and try to understand it later.

As his eyes lazed heavier, he winced at the voices that scolded and berated him. He'd given in to it. How could he? He shook his head on the pillow to clear the snipes that echoed as he fell into troubled rest.

She kissed him as he drifted off, watching him for a long time. "You are not.. Nosferat.." She whispered, knowingly, her head nodding and eyes narrowed... she was certain he was not one of those beasts. She drifted off in a content and deep sleep -very unlike her normal, restless and light dozing. The sharing of pleasure and Trent's drinking of her blood, left her spent and relaxed beside him.

[Lovely]

*************************

Later in the day when the sun was high in the sky, Sapphira awoke, it took a moment for her to realize where she was and remember the events of the night before. Pulling herself carefully away from Trent, so as not to wake him, she slipped nearly silently from the bed and moved into the other room. She was hungry -very hungry- this was not a good thing, she paced the kitchen, growling softly and glancing at the closed door of Trent's bedroom. She could not eat Trent nor could she let herself get to the point where the hunger drove her beyond reason. Sapphira liked Trent, he made her laugh, he was kind, and then there was the things he'd done with her last night -she could not deny the strong... need? to do them again. She had enjoyed thier sharing more than anything she had ever experienced before.. even his feeding from her.. and found herself hoping he would want to share again, perhaps he could teach her more about these wonderful sensations. A new hunger rose, now, along with the need to eat. She turned, watching the light around the seams of the windows with their foil coverings, thinking of coverings, she looked down at her bare form. Sapphira ran a finger over the small gash on her chest, a smile crving her lips and her eyes begining to softly glow.

Her eyes locked on the door... she should go find something to eat, before the hunger took over. She walked to the door and grasped the knob, with a soft growl, she let it go and turned towards Trent's books and scrolls... Such chaotic piles.. she shook her head and moved to the stacks of books and scrolls. Trying to ignore the hunger, she set to organising and cleaning, making a mental list of supplies she would need to get for him.
She grew more restless as the time passed so slowly for her, the sun creeping higher in the sky as she crept about Trent's things. Her hunger grew and it was harder to ignore though she was trying to wait for him to awaken. Trying to hold off as he was supposed to guide her in this plane, but if she waited much longer..

She wondered how lightly or heavily he slept beyond the door she'd closed, between the rooms. She needed to eat and needed supplies, if she left nw he would not be able to follow her in the light of the day.. was that a good thing or a bad thing? Growling sofly she stood and started towards the door, loking down she realized she wasn't wearing anything.. her clothes had been torn and would not do to cover her now. She looked around to see what she might find of his to use, perhaps he had a shirt or something.

Az had heard about the boys' harrowing encounter with the beholders and had stopped in on her friend, only to find he had one visiting already. She giggled to herself and the image she had of the girl eating Trent alive... in a manner of speaking. She was something and even Az was interested, but she'd let her boy have some fun with her by himself. The girl was actually looking for something to cover herself. Az pointed out the coatrack, a subliminal suggestion, not quite heard or noticed unless the girl was exceptionally aware...

Her gaze turned in the direction Az directed and she murmured a soft. "Thank you." Sapph stepped to the coat rack and took the trench down to wrap around herself, buttoning it up to cover her shape. She lifted her head and looked around the room for what had guided her, something was there though she'd not seen it yet.

Az smiled. "You're welcome. Now go, cuz he's going to notice you're not there unless you hurry." The suggestion was given to hurry, but again not exactly heard. She wondered if the girl did hear her, the way she looked around.