Sierra VonNacre - Because I Have a Brother, I’ll Always Have a Friend

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Sierra had a long day ahead of her, one those kind where she had to wake up entirely too early and was going to get home probably not until after midnight. She didn’t care for the jam packed days, but it was something that couldn’t always be avoided. It was a shame that her brother Aaron was participating in an on-site Mythica Arena practice session woh his teammates. Normally Sierra would accompany him, just because she knew he tended to behave better when she was there and not get into panic attacks.

After she was ready for the day, Sierra let her agent Eddie know about her brother’s schedule for the day. He would need someone to at least bring him to and from his friend’s house. Edgar had a decent network of reliable workers for different tasks and one was an intern he’d brought on with potential of a job. While Eddie made calls, he and Sierra made their way down to a waiting black car to whisk them off to her first appointment.

She had an interview on a news morning show, then was playing at an elementary school, followed by a photo shoot. It was around 11 when she got a bit of a break and called Aaron.

“Hello?” Came Aaron’s voice through her phone.

“Hey, just checking in on ya.” Sierra spoke in a softer tone than she used with anyone else, “You ready for team practice today?”

“Yeah. It seems like a waste though, when we all just sit next to each other with headsets rather than in separate places with headsets.” Aaron pointed out the obvious. He didn’t like leaving the apartment for just any reason.

“Well, I think it’s good for you to go and see them in person. Maybe you guys should spend a little time doing some team building exercise that involve not your game.” Sierra offered, “Maybe you guys should at least go out for lunch. Do something not on the computer.”

“Maybe.” Was all Aaron relented, “How’s your day?”

“Okay. The photo shoot ran long, but Eddie reminded me it would. They always do.” Sierra complained lightly, “But I think there’s some pretty good ones. They also had a black piano, a keyboard and a white piano. I think there may be something good for the next album cover and a few good shots for the next signing.”

Eddie signaled to Sierra that she was needed, to which she rolled her eyes.

“I gotta go.” Sierra groaned, “Look, tomorrow, we should go out. There’s a Russian restaurant I wanna try.”

“Okay. I’d like that.” Aaron stated, “I can’t wait to see those pictures. You are pretty sis. Don’t work too hard.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” A smile tugged at her lips, “Have fun Aaron.”

She ended the call before meeting up with the agent and he ushered her into their car to whisk them off to Juliard for a special performance. When she arrived, she changed into a nice dress and then performed for two hours. Afterward Sierra changed back into her more casual ensemble and then her and Eddie went to the studio where she did her professional recording for the two of them to negotiate a new deal for an unannounced record. She’d been on a high with composing and with the vocal teacher, she was refining her own voice to try something new.

They spent a much longer time at the record company than was originally intended, their meeting and test recording only interrupted as Sierra’s phone went off. She was in the recording room with the studio’s piano, her phone left with Eddie and the studio crew in the sound room as they watched and listened to Sierra’s haunting melody. Edgar didn’t think much of it; often the siblings would communicate when neither was at the apartment. He’d let Sierra know once she was finished.

A half hour later, Edgar’s phone began to ring. He stepped from the sound room and into an adjacent space where he could still watch Sierra play, although the music was muted.

“Hey Eddie?” Came the timid voice of his office assistant Julie, “Joel said he dropped Mr. VonNacre off alright, but he’s not there now. Should I have Joel call you himself?”

“If Aaron wasn’t at his friend’s place, then where could he of gone?” Eddie asked, irritated, “Where were the rest of his friends?”

“Apparently they were there and that someone had picked him up about a half hour early.” Julie answered as she had clearly gone through the same line of questioning the intern directly, “I thought maybe you had called someone else to pick him up and forgot to notify Joel?”

Eddie was silent, thinking about how Aaron’s nickname had rang on Sierra’s phone just about 30 minutes ago. She had left him a note saying that Eddie’s intern Joel would be dropping him for video game practice, but nothing about who would pick him up. Aaron was an odd sort, especially given his Asperger’s, and he was trusting to a fault.

“Have you called Aaron?” Edgar asked, his throat dry.

“Yes. He didn’t answer.” Julie replied.

“Call the police. Tell Joel to stay where he is and let him know that he is to be forthright with them.” Edgar commanded as he turned to observe Sierra who was just finishing her current piece, “I’m going to pull Sierra from the studio. We have to find him immediately.”

Edgar hung up with Julie and tapped on the window, pulling Sierra’s attention. She pushed the bench from the piano and stood, going through the sound room and meeting with Edgar in the viewing area. While he waited her to join him, he tried dialing Aaron and was relieved when the chime stopped mid-ring to signal the call was answered.

“Hey Aaron. How ya doing kiddo?” Eddie adopted a more soothing tone as he spoke.

“I’d say he’s been better.” Sounded an unfamiliar voice, one that was obviously being filtered through a voice changer.

Edgar could feel himself turn to ice as the obfuscated voice continued, “But let’s just say he’s sleeping for right now. Now why don’t you put that musical star on the line?”

Sierra waited patiently as Eddie was on the phone, but when he turned to her, she could easily see that something was wrong and blurted out just that, “What’s going on?”

He held his phone out to her, Aaron’s name reading across the screen along with the seconds counting how long the call had been going, and he answered in a hushed tone, “Someone took your brother. They want to speak with you.”

Before she could truly register what that meant, Sierra gripped the phone and brought it to her ear, her rage barely contained, “Where is he?”

“Already so demanding.” The source on the other side of the call was amused by Sierra’s tone, “He’s just resting, albeit uncomfortably.”

“You even think about laying a fucking finger on him, I’ll crawl through this phone and flay you alive!” Sierra yelled into phone, her other hand clenched into a tight fist.

“Tsk tsk little rising star, that’s no way to speak to someone in charge of the fate of the only person you actually care about.” The calm nature of the altered voice only served to further anger Sierra, “Besides, I have no immediate plans to do anymore work upon him, unless you decide to be uncooperative.”

“What the fuck do you want you shit?!” Sierra yelled again, teetering at the edge of her willpower to keep from becoming a rampaging monster to seek out her brother.

“Well, first of all, no cops involved. No cameras or secret stuff. You follow my instructions exactly as I give them to you.” The voice stated cooly, “And only you are allowed to do this. I do not want to see your agent or anyone with you. Understood?”

“Yes.” Sierra spat through gritted teeth, “Name your price.”

“Straight to the point. I knew you were a smart girl.” The voice chuckled, “You’ll bring a gym bag with $1,000,000 in large bills to the north end of the west bay bridge in North Sea New York. There’s a broken concrete pier you can leave it on. There’ll be an address there where you can then find your brother.”

Sierra said nothing as the fiend listed his demands, worry lining her face.

“You have 5 hours to complete this task. Good luck.” And then the line went dead.

Sierra shoved the phone into Edgar’s chest before she turned, hurling a punch through the nearest section of wall. She cried out, whether through pain or frustration and then crumpled to the floor. Edgar sighed as he gripped his phone, and the manager who had been in the sound room came out to see what had happened. She looked at Sierra, then to her agent, who gestured to go back into the sound room. Once inside, he closed the door.

“Some one took her brother and just had a conversation with her.” Edgar explained, “The police should already be where he was last seen, as well as at her apartment and should be arriving here shortly.”

Sierra stood and pressed one arm over her eyes, a mechanism she often used when trying to suppress tears. This demand was going to wipe out years of hard work, and it would make her have to work more in order to build back up their living funds, but she needed her brother back. If not for him, she had no idea how long she’d of even survived. He was her best friend and knowing that she hadn’t been there simply shattered her heart. She didn’t have time to waste though. The trip to North Sea was just about a two hour drive.

Edgar came out of the sound room and moved toward Sierra, “So what did they say?”

“I have to act alone.” Sierra stated with a dark expression, “Gotta go to the bank and the apartment. I.. I need to borrow a car.”

“You sure it’s a good idea to do this solo?” Edgar asked gently, “They have means of tracking that these people don’t even know about.” Edgar offered.

“I don’t have time to waste. I gotta get a mil, a car and go to North Sea, then drive to wherever he’s leaving Aaron, all within five hours.” Was all Sierra was inclined to offer before she went to move off.

The pianist moved through the studio, walking outside only moments before the police arrived. She knew the streets of the city well enough as she’d basically grown up here. She navigated her way to her bank to make the withdrawal, her wallet in the back pocket of her jeans. She was known well enough and the employees knew to treat her normally. She waited her turn in line to speak with someone at their desk, knowing there were procedures for taking such a large chunk of money out, but she was anxious, constantly checking the time on her phone.

Back at the studio Eddie was speaking with the police dispatched to investigate, and there were more on the way to meet with Sierra at the bank.

“Yeah, she took my phone and spoke with the person-“ Edgar explained best he could given the shock.

“And you said the people on the other side was using a voice changer?” One of the officer’s interrupted.

“Yes. It was like Darth Vader or something similar.” The agent sighed, his frustration growing.

“And then what happened?” The other officer asked.

Back at the bank, Sierra was finally next in line when four policemen entered the bank, followed by two men in suits. Inwardly she cursed Edgar but she knew he was doing what was technically the right thing to do. The two suits moved through the bank. The banker Sierra normally dealt with exited his office to speak with them. After a few moments, the banker looked to Sierra and beckoned her over into his office. Once inside, he closed the door and she crossed her arms.

“Miss VonNacre, we understand that you believe your brother had been abducted?” One of the two suits stated as they were already in the office.

“Yes, well, someone did take him and I’m going to get him back as the asshole that did it has demanded.” Sierra replied snidely as glared at the man, “You two morons are here because he was taken! You can figure out who the fuck did it after I get him back. I don’t have the fucking time to play games!.”

“Okay, just take a deep breath and calm down.” The other one stated as he pulled out a chair for Sierra to sit in, “What did they kidnappers demand from you?”

She took a moment to look at the two suits. The first one was dressed in blue and had a terrible combover with a few mangy looking dark strands of hair pulled desperately to across his balding scalp. The second was much taller and not so fat, wearing a light gray suit and had black hair with streaks of gray. Her banker was Mr. Stisce a younger man dressed nicely in a black suit and a pale green shirt with a dark paisley printed tie. Sierra knew he was always excited about the ties his wife got for him and made it a point of always complimenting them.

But she wanted nothing more than to go and get Aaron.

She reached into her pocket and slid her bank card and ID across the desk, looking Mr. Stisce squarely in the eye, “I need to withdraw $1 million in cash, preferably large bills, like $100s or $50s.”

“Sierra. That’s almost all of your account.” The young banker stated as he pulled up her information on his computer.

“Yup.” Sierra gritted her teeth, “I need that exact amount. Large bills. No more questions.”

“Just give it to her.” The taller suit spoke, “We have a duffle bag you can use. We have a small tracker inside the strap that we’ll be able to see the location when this bag moves.”

“Nope, don’t care. Just give me the money.” Sierra spoke quickly.

Mr. Stisce got up and left the office as he moved to withdraw the money as requested.

Sierra crossed her arms as she waited. Her phone began to chime and she saw it was Eddie, “Hey.”

“I’ve got a car for you at the studio. What do you need from the apartment? Can I get anything before you go get him?” Eddie was the only other person that Sierra knew would be so distraught as he was sorta like a father figure for the siblings. She’d been his first client just as he was starting on his career path and she had moved with him until he eventually had his own agency, making him a large part of the VonNacre family.

“Yeah, I need a gym bag. And can you have someone bring the car to the bank three blocks south of the studio? They’re pulling the cash now and I feel like I’ve wasted too much time.” Sierra maintained a fierce demeanor in front of the two suits, but inwardly was on the verge of tears.

“Got it. Car’s got a completely full tank and will be waiting for you. I’ll take care of the bag.” Eddie paused for a moment, “Bring him home safely.”

Sierra said nothing as she hung up. She couldn’t even think about what state her poor brother must be in. She kept thinking about the time when he was running down the hallway and broke their mom’s vase, slicing up his hand in the process. He had been in a rush to show Sierra and their mom that he had stopped his childhood stuttering, but after that day he didn’t speak for a week and when he finally did, his stutter had been worse than before. Sierra couldn’t bare for him to go backwards again and by the hand of someone else it was so unfair.

The pianist snapped out her thoughts as Mr. Stisce returned with the bag full of money. It was neatly wrapped in stacks of $500 and the banker was sure to show Sierra that the requested amount was all there. She grabbed the bag and moved to the street, with both suits trailing after her.

“You should give us a call after you drop it off. That way we can turn on the tracker.” The taller man stated.

“No.” Sierra replied flatly, “I’m not using your bag because I’m not risking my brother’s life so your squad can flounder about tailing these assholes.”

She recognized the car as Eddie himself brought it around, pulling up beside the curb in front of Sierra, cutting off the protests of the two suits. She opened up the passenger door as Eddie got out of the driver’s side and came around with the keys. She dumped the cash into an emptied overnight bag that Eddie had stashed in all his cars for him and his talent in case they had to stay overnight anywhere.

“You sure I can’t go with you?” Edgar asked quietly as he kept the two suits at bay with a rough stare.

“Yeah, the guy was specific about not having you or cops. Just me.” Sierra sighed as she zipped up the new cash-carrier and hurled the other one at the suits, “Once, I’ve got him, I’ll call you and you can give them ahead to the nitwits here to do whatever they’re going to do.”

Edgar nodded and placed the keys firmly in Sierra’s palm, “You be careful too.”

“I think it’s sick fucks that started this you should be worried about.” Sierra stated before taking the keys and getting into the black car.

She got to the highway relatively quick and booked it for North Sea, but unfortunately there was traffic and construct at certain junctures, although she made it there with time to share and didn’t dare let her thoughts wander. As she exited right after the bridge, she spotted the broken concrete pier that had been landlocked for a time, and drove the car down a dirt road along the forgotten beach. As she parked the vehicle, she looked around, wondering if they would be stupid enough to be scene out here. But aside from the cars echoing off the bridge, there seemed to be peace and quiet.

Sierra grabbed the bag and walked over to the pier, her eyes already scanning for the address where Aaron was promised to be. She threw the bag on of the concrete rubble and walked around to the ocean side, finally seeing a newspaper placed deliberately beneath a stone of concrete. She grabbed it and opened the newspaper to see an article about Grand Central circled several times with a black marker. With the newspaper crumpled in her hand, she ran to the car and began to the trip back to New York City.

By the time she got to Grand Central Station, Sierra was in a full panic as she only had about fifteen minutes left. As she parked the car near Pershing’s Diner, she grabbed the newspaper with the address circled and ran across the street, looking for anything indicating a more specific spot within the station Aaron might be. She glanced something about the food concourse where one of the restaurants down there was being renovated. She ran through and headed within, pushing past people as she fumbled for her phone.

“C’mon, c’mon!” She spoke hastily to herself as she dialed Eddie, although he picked up in a single ring.

“Sierra?!” He answered, hopeful.

“I’m at Grand Central.. I can smell blood.” Sierra didn’t care how insane it might sound, “Call an ambulance. Your cars at the diner.” And she hung up.

She ran for the compressed wooden sheet boards that were blocking off the restaurant as soon as she saw them and climbed with relative ease, much to the surprise of those watching. It seemed as though a handful of tourists visiting the Big Apple for the first time managed to capture some shaken phone video of the feat, but Sierra only had one thing on her mind.

She was easily able to pick up on the scent now that there were no crowds and she ran to the left where there was a bar. She skidded around to the back of it and saw her brother curled up in the fetal position, his clothes torn and bloodied. Tears instantly sprung to her eyes as she saw his chest slowly rise and fall, signaling he was alive, although she could tell he was unconscious. She moved beside him and pulled his arms away from his face, those tears streaming down when she saw how badly beaten he was.

The chiming of her phone cut through the silence past the echoes of the bustling station beyond them. Shaking, she looked to see Eddie’s name scroll across her screen and she answered.

‘‘Sierra, where are you?! Do you have him?!” Eddie’s panicked voice asked.

“...Y-yeah.” Sierra choked as she lovingly brushed Aaron’s hair from his face, her eyes surveying every bit of damage done to him, “The Oyster Bar.”

“Sierra? Is.. Is he...?” Eddie’s voice cracked as he never heard Sierra cry, not since she was a kid.

“He’s alive.” She sobbed, “But he needs a doctor hours ago.”

Edgar stayed on the line with her, using his secondary phone to call his office and arrange security for them at the hospital as it had apparently gotten out that someone held a VonNacre for ransom and the media was waiting. The ambulance arrived at the massive train station and made their way down to where Sierra was waiting with her brother. Leaving the station proved to be a hassle in itself as the place was crowded when people shared their videos of Sierra leaping the barrier into the restaurant and more than a handful recognized her. She rode in the ambulance with Aaron on the way to the hospital, blankly answering all the medial and family history trivia that the EMTs had to know. Once at the hospital, Eddie’s secondary security group as already in place along with hospital security to keep a large distance between the VonNacre siblings and the noisy public.

Aaron was brought into emergency surgery while Sierra and Eddie waited in a gloomy hallway. One of his trusted assistants arrived with coffee for both, although Sierra just numbly held the cardboard cup in her hands. A few hours went by before a doctor came out to speak with them. He was stabilized and would need to remain in the hospital for a while, but the internal bleeding had been stopped. They arranged a private room for him before Sierra and Eddie took a few moments to speak.

“I think you should go home and rest.” Eddie spoke softly to the pianist.

She was still wearing the same clothes she’d discovered Aaron in and was exhausted from an extraordinarily long day, but she shook her head, staring through the window at her brother, “No. I’m not leaving him.”

“He’s going to be asleep for a while and I promise I’ll wait here until you come back tomorrow.” Edgar reasoned.

Sierra could feel her chest heaving slowly as she had never been so upset in all her life, “... I’ll go home to change, but I’m coming right back.”

“I really think you should sleep.” Her agent begged.

“No. I won’t be able to right now anyway.” She sighed, every action feeling weighed down and strained, “Besides you have Marilyn to go home and see... You two... You two pick out any baby names yet?” She asked deferring to Eddie’s wife of three years.

“No, not yet.” Eddie sighed and he brought Sierra into a hug, “I’ll get someone to drive you there and back, but only because you’re being stubborn. And you shouldn’t be driving at this point.”

Sierra relented with a nod and used the back of her wrist to dry her eyes, “I’ll be back soon.”

“Here.” Eddie said digging into his pocket and pushing a $50 bill into Sierra’s hand, “Get something to eat on the way there or back.”

She nodded again and trudged off to meet the driver,

Sierra went upstairs alone, past the police officers that were stationed within the lobby of her apartment building. When she got into the apartment, she crumpled to floor crying. The sound of her falling to her knees was enough to signal to her new beau, Gabriel, that something was wrong. He was able to sneak into her apartment earlier in the day when everyone had been out and was waiting for Sierra to return home. He was mildly concerned when the day ran late for both VonNacre’s, but to exit her room and see Sierra sobbing on the floor was alarming.

“Hey..!” He called to her as he crossed the room.

She couldn’t see beyond the blur of tears as they seemed endless, so he gathered her up in his arms and brought her to one of sofas by the tv. His hand came to the back of her head , pressing her cheek to his chest as she sobbed, until she seemed drained of tears and energy. Gabriel said nothing as he waited patiently to see if she was ready to divulge the day’s events to him or not.

“Aaron was taken for ransom.” She spoke in a quiet, hoarse voice, pulling away from the Ivory Claw and leaning to the coffee table to grab a tissue.

Gabriel’s face remained expressionless as she moved, but his eyes flared with anger.

“I paid the amount and got him back, but...” she quivered as she struggled to find the words, “He’s in bad shape... They... They destroyed his face... I could see where he tried to cover himself in defense.”

“Where did you find him?” Gabriel asked through gritted teeth, his mind already working.

“The Oyster Bar restaurant in Grand Central. I...” she stood, looking down at her bloodied outfit, “I’m changing and going back to the hospital.”

She reached into the pocket of her black jeans and offered the contents to Gabriel, who looked at her curiously, “I was going to wrap it up and make a big deal out of it, but I just.. can’t, now. But I want you to take it, so you can come and go as you want.”

The male Pure took the key to the apartment before he too came to stand. He watched silently as Sierra moved off with heavy footsteps to her room to swap clothes, her mind in a tunnel as her single fear turned reality this day.

The pianist threw everything she was wearing into the corner of her room, some of it landing in the trash bin kept there. She grabbed a whole new outfit of a fitted white t-shirt and dark blue jeans from the dresser, as well as a black zip-down hoodie with large red rose stitched across the back and smaller one on the left breast on the front. She threw on a battered pair of sneakers before grabbing her gray and pink gym bag to fill with clothes for Aaron, a stuffed animal he kept in his room from their mom on one of her good days, as well as a bunch of portable video game stuff for when he woke up.

When she back into the main living area of her home, Gabriel was gone. She felt torn on the matter, because she felt like it would’ve been nice for him to come with her to the hospital, but given the way he’d grown up and all that, a hospital was going to be spectacularly uncomfortable for him. She went to the fridge and grabbed a couple bottled waters and then into the cabinet for the goldfish crackers she had stashed away for a rainy day that her brother might be sick. She was quick to get back into the car and head for the hospital altering having the driver stop and sending him inside a 24-hour Dunkins for coffee and a donut.

Once she had returned to the hospital she saw that there was a crappy cot set up against one wall and Eddie nodding off in a chair. Sierra thrust the coffee at him, to which he nodded and grabbed it, taking a long sip.

“I had them get you a bed, and my guys have a list of who’s allowed in and who’s not.” Eddie explained as he savored the coffee, “All the nurses on shift have been cleared so far and you can add names to the list if there’s anyone I forgot.. Although I wasn’t sure if you wanted his friends on there.”

“Yeah.. they can come. They’re nerds, but they’ve got hearts of gold.” Sierra’s voice was hoarse from all the crying and lack of water, “I might add only a couple of people if any. But if anyone takes pictures I’m going after them. I don’t want Aaron to have to look back on this and see what’s happened. I... Why didn’t I just push my shit back or tell him to move his practice?”

Edgar stood and brought Sierra against him again, speaking softly, “You couldn’t of known that this would’ve happened. It’s not your fault. I’ve already taken care of things in my end and I promise you, nothing like this will ever, ever happen again.”

Sierra said nothing, just barely peered over Eddie’s shoulder at her comatose brother with tears silently falling from her eyes.

“Why don’t you pull up a chair and talk to him for a while. I’m sure he could do with stories from his big sister.” Eddie suggested as he pulled away from her, taking her gym bag and putting it down on the cot.

“Yeah.. I can talk to him.” Sierra replied as she sat in the chair and Eddie slipped out, closing the door behind him and nodding to the two security guards flanking the door.

“Aaron... I... I’m so sorry...”

— — —

“You know, the banker said it was nearly everything in her account. You think maybe we should’ve halved  the amount?” The tall man in the gray suit asked as he scooped up his share.

“Please, she’s probably got multiple bank accounts!” A younger, much more muscular man reasoned easily enough, his knuckles just starting to scab over.

“Yeah, we probably could’ve gotten more if she’s really been famous for that long.” The short fat blue suit man interjected as he fixed his terrible combover, “What a rude little bitch she was anyway. I say next time, we take her. Could have some fun with a body like hers.”

“Gentlemen please.” Came the final voice of the final of the men in the dimly lit finished basement of the Newburgh, New York house, “We can discuss the second round once this has blown over.”

“Aww c’mon Uncle Carson,” the younger man complained, “We could easily rig something against Sierra herself. I bet her lame ass brother would pay every penny they have for her back. Besides, I’ve seen pics of her; she’s hot and I think fatty here might be onto something with that.”

“Bryson, well, she might be adopted, Sierra is still family.” The uncle argued, but a she stepped into the light, he wore a deranged smile, “Besides, we need to wait for your cousin Aaron to recover so he can see enough to make any withdrawals we request.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:25, Tue 25 Feb 2020.

Sierra VonNacre - Those Walls I Built

— — — — —

Sierra stood in the bathroom, looking at herself in the mirror as she finished her makeup. She was still wearing a bath robe as she turned to look at the dress she had hanging on the closed bathroom door. It was a flowing white gown with an ethereal nature. She had picked it out at a thrift store, thinking it was exactly what she wanted to portray for her new cover that she was dedicating to Gabriel, but looking at it now, she was unhappy. In fact, she was feeling nervous for the first time in a very long time. She could sense Aaron and Felix in the main space of the apartment as Aaron explained how the video feed and electronics worked, but Gabriel.. He was waiting patiently on her bed for her to emerge because he wanted to be the first to see her before a performance for a change.

But she didn’t like the dress now that she was ready for it. The pianist let out a heavy sigh, blowing it up and ruffling her long bangs in the process.

“Everything alright in there?” Came Gabriel’s voice as he moved silently toward the door.

“I don’t wanna wear this.” She answered bluntly even as her fingers ran along the soft fabric.

“Then don’t.” Gabriel replied in a similar tone.

“Fine, but I have to wear something, so watch out.” She announced before slowly opening the door and stepping into her bedroom.

She moved past him, but his gaze was fixated on her face. It wasn’t often around him that she did her own makeup and her choice for regular wear was much more colorful than her theater performances. She walked over to her dresser and opened a drawer, pulling out a loose white crop top with long lace sleeves and a pair of black high waisted snake patterned leggings.

As she held the clothes she looked over at Gabriel with a slight smirk, “You want me to do your makeup too?”

“Don’t you think I’m pretty enough without it?” He gave her a grin back.

She chuckled as she closed the drawer and looked on top of the dresser inside her jewelry box. She pulled out white feather earrings edged with gold and a black and gold heart locket that hung on a long gold chain. She also grabbed a copper necklace that had a purple rose charm on the end that was much shorter.  She also grabbed a few rings just for the look.

She moved past Gabriel with a smile back to the washroom, but he grabbed her arm and leaned in close. He didn’t say a word as his gaze studied her face and she looked quizzically back at him. She’d gone with black eyeshadow with some gold coloration and did her lips in a gradient to match. And her hair was loose, falling into large untamed waves, but it was a different look than what he was certainly used to with her.

“You can change here.” He suggested, but Sierra could feel the command of his voice.

“Yeah, I could.” She playfully challenged him as she remained quietly a moment, letting the taunt settle in as it was so amusing to her before she gave in, “But only it’s my room first.”

He gave her a grin as he released his hold on arm, and she tossed her outfit onto the bed. She put the jewelry on first as Gabriel made himself comfortable on the bed, watching her silently. Sierra pulled free the sash of her robe and let it fall to the floor, revealing her perfect form almost completely bare. She was already dressed in a strapless bra and thong. When she grabbed the leggings, she turned so Gabriel could see the lack of clothing and appreciate the view before she covered it up and slid the garment up her form. Then she pulled the white crop top over her head and fixed her hair so it wasn’t caught beneath the fabric before she turned to look at her alpha as her outfit settled on her body. It left a stripe of her torso visible from where the shirt sat hanging off her ample chest and the leggings rested a few inches from the inward curve of her bust.

She couldn’t help but to smile as she watched Gabriel’s eyes start from her purple painted toes and climb to the top of her blonde hair.

“Are you ready?” She asked, extending her hand to him.

“I’m not the one doing a show.” He grinned but took her hand.

She flexed to pull him up even though he didn’t need the help. He stood, but brought her hand up to his lips, not exactly kissing her, but rather gently brushing his lips against her skin. She blushed and quickly pulled away and headed to join Aaron and Felix.

“You and your minion got everything ready?” Sierra grinned at her brother as both he and Felix turned at the sound of footsteps.

“Wow...” Felix breathed from where he stood beside Aaron as he saw the Forsaken.

“I don’t have any minions, but Felix has been very interested in the equipment.” Aaron beamed, “It’s really nice to be back home.”

“Sorry to put you to work so soon after coming back.” Sierra lamented, “We could’ve pushed this back until you were rested.”

“I haven’t gotten to do something normal in weeks, so this is good.” Her brother smiled and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, “Besides I love hearing you play. Evan came by when you were out and even told me how impressed with your voice he is.”

Sierra blushed but couldn’t resist shooting Gabriel a satisfied smile as she saw his expression shift at the mention of Evan. Her alpha was now standing beside his dumbstruck brother who was mesmerized by Sierra.

She looked back at Aaron and gave him a quick hug before pulling back and looking at her classic black piano. There was a wide flat circular microphone for her to sing into, one that was used to record the piano, and a camera to visually record. Aaron and Felix has even gone to the trouble of changing the curtains to be long billowy white ones for an ethereal look.

“The curtains look really good. Thank you guys.” She smiled as she surveyed the scene set before her.

“Is there anything we forgot?” Aaron asked as he looked between his sister and the mini music studio.

“No. Not a thing.” She turned to look at him, “So is it just you manning he camera?”

“Felix said he wanted to see how it works.” Aaron nodded excited, “So he’ll be with me . She during the song.”

“Okay.” Sierra looked back to the Quinn brothers, “So Felix with Aaron and Gabriel, go sit your ass down over here so you don’t distract me.”

Felix’s cheeks took on a faint pinkish hue but he quietly took his place on one of two stools next to the camera. Gabriel smirked at the Forsaken but did as she instructed, taking a seat on the ivory angular sofa set well behind the piano where she couldn’t see him once she was seated, but he could easily observe, and he wouldn’t be in the video either.

“Okay, begin sound test whenever you’re ready.” Aaron instructed as he set on a pair of headphones, leaving one side tucked just behind his ear.

He adjusted the position of the camera slightly as Sierra stepped over to the piano and took a seat on the worn bench, feeling completely at home before the massive instrument. She ran her fingers along the piano, touching every key as she made the piano sing from high to low and then back to high.

“Okay, good.” Aaron confirmed with a nod, “Start with synchronization test in 3... 2... 1.”

“One, one, two, three, two, one, two.” Sierra spoke as her fingertips danced across three different keys, each corresponding with the number she iterated.

“Okay, we’re all good on this end.” The male Von Nacre gave a thumbs up as he then settled on the stool next to Felix.

Sierra took a deep breath as she let the piano fall silent, slightly adjusting her position and the mic she’d be singing into. Normally she’d give the video a brief introduction of her name and the piece she’d be playing, but she didn’t feel like it. It felt better to just go for it and get over her nervousness.

With her eyes nearly closed she lifted her hands back to the keys and began to play the in song that was her testament to Gabriel.




https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fey4tGWYFHU
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:49, Fri 27 Mar 2020.

Fire and Ashes - Changeling (Sid | Hunter | Opal | Slate)

— — — — —

The Scripted Tavern had done nothing but flourish among the city of glass and steel towers of New York City. The food was out of this world and had seasonal delights to the excite the mortal tongue, but it was much more than that, serving as a sanctuary for supernatural kind and the uppermost floors as host to the Court of Salvation of the new Freehold to the Changelings of the Big Apple.

Sid Nolana was a Changeling but not of the Dawn Court. That however wasn’t a deterrent for the ashen leaf heading to the restaurant for good food and drinks. He practically had a standing reservation as his scoping out of such places previously was his job. In fact his first time at the Scripted Tavern he had brought his now best friend Slate where they had encountered the owner who happened to be the Spring King’s childhood beau and the three had shared quite the magical night. But with Sid having found so many hot spots to send clients from his workplace to, the company had created a new position just for him, allowing him freedom in hours and even when he was working outside the office, it was typically mostly fun for the Helldiver. Not only that, but his replacement at the job was another friend of Sid’s through he means of Slate, the King of Spring. It was another of the Arcadian Phoenix kith that were utterly mesmerizing each in their own right. This one went by the name Hunter, who had formerly worked at the restaurant as a server only for the means of getting close to the owner, but now was the matchmaker’s new secretary, as well as a Knight with the flourishing mantle of Spring.

But Sid had offered Hunter to go for lunch at their favorite place, and the two arrived together, barely slowing as they entered the place for an early bite at Sid’s usual table. Opal Starreld, the owner and the sole female of the Phoenix kith, was in her chef coat and it looked as though she had been busy as her white jacket had a variety of food stains. She did notice both men and gave them a smile and nod before turning back to her work. Sid and Hunter both grinned and went to the two top and sat down.

“So how you doing with the paperwork filing, pretty boy?” Sid asked with a grin as he casually glanced over the drinks trifold that was stationed on every table and a few scattered across the bar.

“I think I’m getting a hang on it. You shouldn’t have to stick around too much to help out  anymore.” Hunter answered plainly as he took one of the two menus left by a new waitress before she hurried back to her mentor for the day.

“It’s not a problem. For holiday time and Valentines you’ll probably be so swamped with files and new clients your head will spin. You’ll be happy for help.” The Autumn Courtier chuckled as he recalled how overwhelming it can get, “Luckily we’re great eye candy for the lovelies that will be waiting in the reception room while we work.”

“Eh, maybe. I mean, you did warm me that some women were likely to make moves, but it’s been kinda weird. I don’t think I’m just interested in such a thing right now.” The Spring Phoenix shrugged his shoulders.

Sid laughed, “Yeah, things get weird at the front desk, but just stay cool and calm. So you got your stuff set on Opal still, or you gunning for Slate to be your one and only?”

“Um, no. Slate has opened my eyes up and I have very different feelings now about things than I did before. Else you’d be here with someone else today.” Hunter’s cheeks flushed faintly, “I’m sorta okay with Slate and Talbot battling it out over Opal. I did tell both of them that I won’t interfere with the other’s plans and prefer to be a neutral party. Obviously if anything were to happen, I’d jump in to help Opal or anyone… But well yeah.”

“How noble of you… So you’re set on staying in the city then huh?” Sid asked with a grin, secretly relieved that Hunter had decided to back off in the fight for Opal’s heart.

The Helldiver himself wasn’t a contender for such a thing. He simply enjoyed the flings with his inner circle of friends while still unsettling those on the outside, Changeling or otherwise. His circle had expanded since the Freehold had fallen apart and been rebuilt. He still had his secrets and the only one who knew him freer than most was his Queen of Autumn, Myra. But he found himself enjoying having others beyond his court to be with. They were all comfortable with each other to keep secrets but had proven loyal in the most dire of circumstances. There didn’t need to be explanations of when Sid didn’t want to divulge, there were no questions. And he in turn respected them as much as to not push when it wasn’t needed.

“Yeah, I do really like it here. I like working with you and being a part of something that felt lost to me, pardon the word.” The male Phoenix answered with his cheeks deepening.

The new waitress came over to take their order under the supervision of the head server, giving Hunter and Sid a warm smile. This certainly wasn’t the first time the pair of men had been subject to a trainee and they were great customers to have as such. After placing their orders, Opal arrived to take a break with them.

“Hello gentlemen. Nice to see you both here again so soon.” She smiled at each as she adjusted herself in the seat with a glass of water.

“Oh it’s only been… a couple of hours since last night.” Sid mused as he looked at his watch before looking to the enchanting Dawn Queen, “I was only curious of there was a menu change since then is all.”

“Uh huh.. You and Slate having drinks the night before work again?” Hunter interjected with a teasing grin.

“Well, yeah. Him and I do having a standing date night every week so why not here where we can have Opal check in and shove us in the office if we’re too far gone?” Sid offered with his typical sly grin back at Hunter.

“They never go so far. I don’t need to babysit the two of them.” Opal gave a slight giggle as she assured Hunter that he needn’t worry.

“Uh huh.. Always in for a little mischief huh Sid?” Hunter crossed his muscular arms over his equally strong chest and leaned back in his chair, grinning madly at the playful Helldiver.

“Well someone has to play on the same level as Slate. I’m clearly up for the job.” The Ashen Courtier laughed even as the new waitress placed two drinks one the table for each man.

“Ugh, you and him are absolutely fiends.” The lady Phoenix rolled her eyes even as she held her smile, “Anyway, this is rather early for you two, isn’t it?”

“It’s just an early lunch. There’s some company party thing tonight, and this one here is always hungry. Plus he offered to buy.” Hunter uncrossed his arms and grabbed his soda glass.

“Ooh fancy. Is it for anything special?” Opal answered, genuinely intrigued, “I had gotten a phone call from Sid here to cater something but unfortunately I have a reader’s tasting tonight so I had to decline.”

“A what?” Sid asked with a raised eyebrow, “Catering for us sounds much better than entertaining anyone else.”

“Well um… It’s something done every other month for the readers of Talbot’s food blog. We sorta collaborated to come up with the idea and it’s been quite a big hit. So much so that we take reservations for it because there’s just so many people.” The Dawn Queen explained before taking a sip of her water.

“Sounds interesting. Is it like a special menu or something?” Hunter asked in being supportive of the idea.

“It’s a special set menu that’s a course of nine small plates. Tonight we’re serving a beer with each plate to showcase a few of the local breweries in the area. It’s been a fun project, although it’s time consuming to say the least.” She explained proudly.

“Okay, and we don’t get invited?” Sid asked practically salivating as she spoke about food.

“Well, it’s for readers of Talbot’s website only.. And you seem to have some form of a corporate party tonight.” She gently reminded the Helldiver.

“True.. I suppose I’ll need to start looking at the chump’s site.” Sid stated in a playfully begrudging way, “Don’t tell Slate though. It’s just for the sake of getting in freely to all events here.. minus the hopeful shit and stuff.”

“Uh huh.. The only reason I won’t be here tonight is because of the party at work. I didn’t want to skip out and feel like I wasn’t trying to bond with the team there.” Hunter explained his would-be absence.

“Yeah, Talbot did tell me that you wouldn’t be coming tonight despite the invitation he extended. And I think it’s important you go and hang out with your coworkers.” Opal nodded thoughtfully before her gaze was diverted as she caught the general manager Sophie waving at her.

“Seems like your little break with us is over already.” Sid pouted in earnest as he enjoyed the eye candy and the easy banter.

“I’m sorry. I’ll buy the next time we hit the club, okay.” She stated as she shifted from the chair to standing and took her glass of water with her.

Both Hunter and Sid watched in silence as she walked away.

“I think I have fairly good standing with Talbot and I can comfortably say that Slate and I are very close, but I hope that Opal stays here. She just thrives so much here and it’s hard to imagine that I was adamant about running off with her for my own greed.” Hunter stated quietly as his gaze shifted back to his soda.

“Yeah, you and I would’ve had problems if it went further than whatever is was you had gotten through. Although it seems like Slate maybe rectified that line of thought within you.” Sid mused casually with his grin returning.

“Honestly, I would hate to be on receiving end of having any type of issues with you.” The male Phoenix retorted with a smile tugging at his lips.

“Oh I can be a real asshole when it comes to-“ Sid stated but was suddenly cut off as the fire alarm began to blare from the kitchen and then the rest of the restaurant.

Both men stood up with serious expressions as they each looked around. Sophie, the general manager paced from the kitchen with purpose, directing the servers to get their tables from restaurant, all tables compted for the trouble, but everyone needed to get outside. There weren’t many customers inside at this point and almost none had food anyway, but Sid and Hunter were both ushered outside with them.

Once on the street, most customers dispersed to other places or whatever their day held in store for them, but the two Changeling men waited. The restaurant staff began to filter outside as well with their belongings with Sophie being the last one. Opal was missing from the crowd.

Sid moved up a few steps toward the general manager his demeanor intimidating as he peered seriously at the restaurant, “Where is she?”

“Something weird was happening in one of the fridge units which is why I called her away from you and your friend. When we went back to show her, the unit was on fire on the back, but…” Sophie lowered her voice as Hunter stepped towards them to join the conversation.

“But what?” The male Phoenix asked, pressing for more.

Both men knew fire wasn’t exactly an issue for the Dawn Queen, and Sophie had some inkling that Opal and her closest friends weren’t exactly normal but mortal standards, but she was clearly unnerved.

“The flames were purple. I’ve never seen any fire that color before.” She spoke in a low volume so only Sid and Hunter could hear her.

At that moment, there was a rush of heated air as then a groan as they could now see orangey-red flames lick out of the kitchen and the structure of the building began to weaken. But no sign of Opal.

Without a thought. Both men ran inside despite a pleading cry from Sophie. The alarms were still blaring with sound and the red flashing lights, and the kitchen was quickly becoming consumed. Beyond the normal wisps of fire were purple and black flames not of this world.

“We sticking together or separate?” Hunter asked as he lifted one arm to cover his nose and mouth.

“No. We go to the kitchen and get her the fuck out.” Sid commanded before following Hunter’s action and covering her mouth and nose with his sleeve to breath as little of smoke as possible.

With a nod they moved, Sid taking the lead. As soon as they moved past the areas burning normally, the Helldiver felt sick. The deep purple fire smelled of similar poison to what had been used against Slate, indicating it had absolutely come from the Hedge. Sid quickened his pace, calling for Opal as loud as he could.

Hunter used his other arm to grab Sid and hold him for a moment as he recognized the sound of metal scraping but wasn’t sure what it’s origin was. For a moment both listened trying to hear beyond all the excess noise.

“You can’t have them!” Opal’s voice commanded, and both men knew her mask had been dropped as her voice echoed with dual tones.

With a burst of speed from both, Sid and Hunter moved toward the source even as the equipment and walls around them threatened to melt. One area was cleared as it was only way to describe what they saw. There was an inky void sprawled in front of Opal with a vortex of purple flame flickering around the edges of it, catching everything within it’s reach to melt and distort. Standing within the void was a humanoid being with a clear gel like body and a black skeleton inside it, the spine topped off with no skull, but just a smooth faceless head. It’s arms however we’re staggeringly long, coming to the creature’s ankles and divided into several sticky black tendrils, dripping with some unknown white glowing substance.

A disembodied voice reverberated from the void, the multitude of it’s tones far greater than Opal’s two, “That is where you misunderstand Night Phoenix. We have not come for them.”

With a groan, reality torn around the trio of Changelings and with each void that appeared, so more of the bizarre huntsmen appeared.

“Opal!” Sid called to her in alarm.

They weren’t close enough to reach her just yet as some equipment in the kitchen remained in their path, but it was impossible to tell what the pieces had been, the distortion was so great on the objects.

Opal turned, her armor clinking as she moved to look at her friends, a look of horror on her face, “It’s here for me.”

With that Sid and Hunter both saw the first void creature lash both extended arms out, the tendrils latching across the Dawn Queen’s body, the white substance dripping down her form and eating away the armor and her clothing, leaving patches of bared skin, and making her scream in agony. The other void beings followed suit in extending their alien appendages, except to form a barrier between the two men and their female friend. A few splatters of the bizarre white acid hit both men, and while it did not eat away the skin, it burned like acid and did disintegrate everything else it came into contact with.

“Opal!!” Sid cried out, ignoring the pain as several large droplets of the Arcadian acid hit him.

He moved, ready to tear through the tendrils, but Hunter held him, proving the stronger, but barely.

“Sid! We can’t save her with blunt force!” Hunter tried to reason despite his own growing anger.

“Opal!!” Sid cried out, spinning himself from Hunter’s grasp as he darted forward.

“Who comes for me!?” Opal demanded with tears streaming down her face, the alien white acid covering her body as she remained isolated from her companions.

“Oh clever little Phoenix, it makes no difference who I am now, for I shall be your last captor and the one whom none have escaped. I have bided my time for you since I first caught wind of the Court of Night giving away a Moondove Phoenix egg to the Great Dragon. You should say your goodbyes.” Came the force of the void’s voices.

She was still facing them and as Sid tried to move past the wall of tendrils, trying slip through the gaps, caring little for his own safety. But the other void creatures whipped their arms, filling in the gaps and further letting loose the faerie acid. Hunter growled as he let his own mask drop and howled, letting loose a bout of flame that seemed to be made of night sky, but scorched the bizarre gel black skeletal arms. They made no noise as the arms hung limp, but the regeneration was impossibly fast, and like a hydra, the ones that had been burned away now doubled.

“N-no!” Opal cried out as the one holding her moved and braced it’s legs, the odd arms tightening their grip around her before it spun and flung her into the darkness of the primary gap in reality.

“No!!” Sid and Hunter both cried in anger as the Dawn Queen’s form was cast into darkness.

The creatures now lashed out, using their appendages like whips to attack the pair of male Changelings. But the building creaking and melting around them seemed to draw their attention. The primary gap in reality closed, leaving a distortion in the air and the objects around them. The sirens of fight trucks and police suddenly cut through as emergency services had clearly arrived and muffled orders were being shouted.

The distraction, though only momentarily, was enough for the void huntsmen to retreat and leave Sid and Hunter in the heat of the fire as it ravaged freely through the building. Hunter recalled his mask as ceiling tiles began to crumble along with other structures, some hitting the pair of men as they began to retreat. Sid caught a glimpse of Opal’s chef jacket, but there was no way to reach it as supporting beam collapsed across it.

As they made they’re way towards the dining room, fire fighters began to surge in looking for them and Opal. Two pulled Sid and Hunter through the smoke. A crowd had gathered across the street. At this point, a barrier had been set up to keep them separated. There were two ambulances and as Sid, then Hunter came from the building, the two sets of EMTs were upon each of them with oxygen masks and luckily for them, only minor attention needed to be paid their burns.

As soon as the EMTs were convinced that he was alright, Sid shifted, pulling his cell from his pocket. He wasn’t the type to call people on his time off because he spent so much of his work time on the phone, for both match making and for hiding and helping his fellow Lost. But he swiped through his phone for Slate’s number. Just the phone call alone should be enough to concern the Dragon of Spring.

“Hello? Sid?” Came the concerned voice of Slate.

Sid sighed heavily, “Opal’s been taken.”
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 02:09, Thu 10 Feb 2022.

Silence in Volumes | Changeling x Demon (Aura x Malus)
— — — — —

Aura found herself in a whirlwind of adventure the past few days. The tribe’s ceremony to celebrate the coming of Spring had indeed taken a turn for the worse, just as she had seen in her dreams and through the haze of her mediations to Baba Yaga. But she was still new to the tribe and her warnings had fallen on mostly deaf ears, even after Poquocno and his scouting team had returned with the spear bearing the scorched human hand talisman. Since he had run off at the ceremony site at the beginning of the attack, Aura had stepped up and come to the aid of her new traveling home, fending off the Burning Tusk clan, and thusly claiming an unwanted place in the scouting party.

While the Broken Tusk tribe was mostly kind and well-meaning, Aura found herself with so much internal strife that she hadn’t socialized much beyond the Falcon House. There were other elves that were curious about her as she was drastically different than them with her snow-kissed skin and just barely sun-touched ivory hair, and moreso, her left hand being a vivid blue and somewhat crystalline looking with elongated nails. She had tried her best to hide her strange hand, but she was unable to use her magic. And she hadn't even made a real effort to be civil towards the other sylvan.

Yet now she was pushed into a group of a 'human', a silver kobold, and a half elf with a large walking bird companion. She wasn’t sure exactly how capable they all were, but the situation of running the entirety of their tribe away from their long forgotten sister tribe of the Burning Mammoths didn’t leave room for Aura’s personal grievances.

A few days later, the single most notable and easily friendliest of the Broken clan, passed away, Grandfather Aiwa. Many were crushed and of course, now Falcon House had no leader. The funeral was a grim one and Aura decided to throw herself out there to ensure that Aiwa’s spirit would be guided with ease to his next destination, but even as she recited the incantation, she could hear the dull murmurs condemning her spell of protection and guidance. After she stepped down and a few more added to the memorial, one man, a former crusader from the Wound, spoke fondly of Aiwa and, after a toast from the battle-hardened warrior, the ceremony was decided concluded. Aura stood, staring into the funeral pyre, lost in her mind, mentally alone yet standing there with her newfound team. That’s when it happened.

She felt a presence come up to her side and a gruff yet quiet voice, “This collective doesn’t seem to have terribly much experience in confrontation.”

Aura turned and saw a tall muscular elf, ridden with scars and some of the battle worn armor of symbols that the ex-crusader also bore, but aside from being an elf, he had a pair of demonic rigid horns protruding from his head, and his hair was braided back on one side, but still was messy. One of the horns was broken as though it’d be taken off in a battle of brutality. On the bits of skin that were exposed, she could the occasional fleck on black-red demon scales.

“I couldn’t speak for the others, since I’m new to this coalition myself.” Aura found herself answering distantly, even as she turned somewhat to observe the elders as they spoke non-too-quietly to one another several paces off.

And thusly Malus, the ex-crusader magus joined them. Aura suspected that not just for her part, but everyone was grateful to have someone who’d seen battle alongside them. But their trek for now would be scouting ahead of the tribe and securing a pathway for safe passage until they could reach the caverns that Aiwa had told them the Frozen Flame had last been lost in. Aura was intent on stealing some time for herself for the seasonal purification that had been part of her requirements as royalty from an old life. She had little in means of that old life, but it was just something she felt compelled to do.

So early in the morning, Aura set off, leaving her familiar in her tent. She traveled very light, taking only a small pack with a change of clothes and two drying blankets. In the early fog of the morning, the cavern elf felt confident that none had seen her leave. She traveled back about a half mile to an area they’d passed the night before to a secluded waterfall hidden in a column of rocks. It was actually sunken into the ground, so she’d be hidden from sight from any patrols.

After clearing the tribe’s campsite, she traveled quickly and confidently to the destination, slipping past the narrow opening and into a small pathway to the pool where the water filled  and then flowed ultimately to the river they were traveling alongside. Aura breathed a heavily sigh of relief as freshness of nature. She pulled her hair out of it’s long leather tie and pulled her clothing free from her surprisingly shapely body, leaving the pack and belongings on a small dry ledge. She then stepped up and lowered herself into the pool, not bothered by the chill of waters.

The noise of the small waterfall echoed in the cylindrical space, and Aura let her guard drop completely. She dipped herself beneath rippling surface for a moment, coming up looking towards the cascading waters, she placed her crystalline hand on the rock wall and leaned forward, using her other hand clean herself. As she leaned forward, reaching back with her fingertips following the curve of her backside, she heard the rustle of movement on the rock pathway behind her. She turned her head slowly to look over her shoulder.

Aura’s cobalt gaze widened slightly as she caught none other than Malus coming up through the same pathway she’d entered through, his expression more shocked than she imagined he could be. Perhaps she’d just simply ease the situation, as she felt she couldn’t just say quiet.

“Hmm… An odd place for you to be while I’m purifying myself. Perhaps you could explain?” She spoke softly, not looking to provoke any anger, but trying more to convey curiosity.

But all he did was flush a faint hue of red and leave immediately; without a word.

Aura turned, crossing both arms over her chest but he was already gone. With her own embarrassment growing as she could only imagine wha he’d seen, the secret princess hurriedly finished bathing. She dried and dressed herself before grabbing her things and then exiting. Much to her surprise, Malus was waiting outside for her against the rocks by the entrance.

“Oh! Um, you’re welcomed to go in..!” She blurted in a tumble of words as she looked away and took a hurried step past the tiefling elf.

He didn’t say a word but grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her along and back into the cavern. He released his hold as they approached the turn where the waterfall would then come into view.

“Wait here. It might not be safe for you to journey back alone.” He commanded quietly before rounding the corner and disappearing.

Aura was an obedient type from her upbringing and she felt too awkward to argue with him anyway. She sat down facing the exit to the private nook, listening as the ringing of water falling shifted as Malus took a turn to clean himself. He also didn’t waste much time and although it was only perhaps a few minutes later that he re-emerged, it left Aura with her own thoughts for what felt like forever.

The two made their way back in silence, a heavy air of tension between them. Once back at the camp, they separated to each go to their own tents. Aura moved to ready herself for another day of scouting, and tried desperately to put her embarrassment to the side. Yet, even after studying and preparing with Vex, the calligraphy wyrm asked if she was okay.

The team met up in the Moose House encampment as the majority of them were from there. Malus was the last to arrive and seem unphased by the private encounter, but Aura avoided eye contact and hoped she wasn’t blushing despite being able to feel heat in her face. She let the others discuss the plan for the day, quietly scribbling away a list of herbs and materials to keep an eye out for while they scouted ahead.

Once they had finished breakfast, the five set off branching out into a wide arc so there was some distance between everyone. Kharot the ‘human’ paladin took the lead at the center. Dahlia and her large bird companion Glen were spread to the right  and beyond the Druidic pair was the sorcerer kobold Solv. Aura found herself a fifty paces to the left of the paladin, and as she turned to look, Malus coming towards her.

She dropped her gaze immediately from him as she knew she was blushing at the least, but her face was likely red to the tips of her ears. She scanned the ground for something she could collect, but the spot in which she stood was a barren spot of soft dirt with some unremarkable stones.

“You’re flushed.” Malus stated as he approached her, “Are you not feeling well? Or do I make you uncomfortable?”

“You saw me very.. compromised this morning. So um, embarrassed is what I’m feeling.” She offered, the idea suddenly dawning on her that he might believe the tiefling traits could be a massive point of contention for him, just as her crystalline hand was for her, “I’ve just.. No one has ever found me so exposed before.”

“You had an opportunity to witness me just the same.” Malus offered with the corner of his lips pulling up in amusement.

“Well, I’m going to assume you weren’t purposely trying to catch of a glimpse based on your reaction, and I didn’t want to make things any stranger than they are now.” Aura explained timidly as her eyes began to scan the surrounding tall grass for forage materials.

“You’re correct. I did not know you would be there.” Malus confirmed, trailing after Aura as she moved about in both following their team at a large distance and looking for goods, “And if it makes you feel any better, you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Aura could feel the heat in her face rise twenty degrees as she turned to observe the tiefling elf, “I.. um… Th-thank you? From what I see, you don’t either.”

And with that she moved past him to where a bush of unusual leaves was just peaking above the tall grass. Malus followed after her, not saying anything.  He watched carefully as she delicately plucked stems of the leaves and pulled a long thing jar from her bag to place them in. Vex slithered from his tattoo form around her shoulder and scrawled a label for the vial before flying up to scout from above and give the two some privacy.

As Aura reached slung her bag from her shoulder to replace the vial, Malus caught it by the strap and took it from her. He held it open and let her place it in a holder beside a few other empty ones. She looked at him with curiosity, but he seemed to only be studying her, which made her all the more aware of the blooming awkwardness between them.

The rest of the day went on as such and with mostly silence between the two elves. Even as the scouting party came together for a quick afternoon meal, the banter was all between the other three. And for the rest of the day, Aura was the only one to return with goods of the land, carried by Malus. They had found nothing and tomorrow the entire camp would move in the cleared area.

As they returned to camp, a fire was already lit with a dinner of stew waiting for them. It was here that Malus finally relinquished Aura’s bag to her and sat beside her to partake in their meal. Letsuwa came over to gather a report from the scouting team, with Aura remaining quiet, even as Dahlia proudly made a note to the tribe leader about all the herbs and goods the cavern elf had returned with. Aura for her part smiled and nodded, but she was still distracted and found herself moreso sipping at broth than eating the stew. She felt confident she had snuck a few morsels to both Glen and Vex so it seemed as though she’d eaten before being the first to retire.

As she made her way back to her tent within the outskirts of not just Falcon House, just the tribe encampment, she could feel eyes upon her. She was sure it was just other elves of her house that she rarely spoke with. She was just uninterested in sharing her life with anyone at this juncture. They eventually stopped whispering of her oddities and just would watch her. She dropped her belongings off at her tent, taking a few moments to divide out of her findings for the day. Most of the herbs and such would go to the tribe a hand of each she’d keep for herself, for her own meals and teas and spells. She wrapped up everything for the tribe in a leather hide and moved to bring it to the cooking pits.

On her way back to her tent for the final trip this night, she was surprised to see Malus patiently waiting outside her tent, looking beyond the borders of the tribe’s encampment and into the wilderness. She moved towards him, being sure her footsteps made some noise.

“Seems like you’ve become quite invested over the course of the day.” She mused nervously as she came to stand beside him.

“You’ve given me much to consider with your voice and your form.” He answered softly, turning to look at her, “I need to know if you were being honest or simply trying to diffuse your own nerves.”

Aura turned her head to meet his gaze, confused, “I’m not sure exactly what you’re referring to, but I also have no reason to lie to you. My nerves will eventually calm down, but um.. With you appearing again and again, maybe I’ll just be timid around you all the time.”

He turned fully now to face her, which made her feel intimidated somehow, “So you truly believe that I have nothing to be ashamed of with the traits of demons that have claimed my physical body?”

Again, the secret princess was taken aback, “What? No. You shouldn’t be judged for what you look like anyway, but you don’t strike me as the type to make deals with demons and manifest their traits. And whatever your family has done in the past is not a reflection of you.”

She suddenly let out a quiet giggle, “Is that why you’ve been quiet all day and carried my things? I don’t need that sort of special treatment like that.”

“Maybe you need a different type of special treatment.” Malus offered before he quickly pulled Aura into her tent.

She found herself on the carpeted floor of her abode with Malus laying atop of her, his lips upon hers. Aura could feel both his arms wrapped around her body, leaving her unable to move. A second later his tongue pushing past her lips to taste her, making the cavern elf’s eyes roll. She moaned against his lips, their tongues entwined. Malus’ intense affection shifted as he pulled back leaving a thread of saliva between them before he pressed to her neck, eliciting a deep gasp from the young witch.

“Do you have any idea how difficult you made today for me?” The tiefling elf asked between heated affections to the witch’s neck.

“D-difficult?! M-me?!” Aura answered as she squirmed against him, clearly loosing her mind.

“A gorgeous thing such as yourself, dripping wet and showing off this body.” Malus murmured against her ear as both his hands slid along the curves of Aura’s body.

“I didn’t have any such intentions!” She moaned, wriggling her arms free and bringing them around Malus’ shoulders.

“You asked for an explanation in that sultry voice.” He whispered as his hands continued to wander, moving to squeeze her backside and pressed her against his body.

“I can’t think with you touching me like this!” She gasped, arcing her body even tighter against his.

“Then why think?” He asked before claiming her lips again.

Aura kissed him back, her own hands timidly traveling over his clothes even as he continued to test the suppleness of her form. Malus’ fingers worked to pull up the loose fabric of her skirt, groaning as he caressed against the soft smoothness of her legs. Using her normal hand, Aura tentatively pulled at his tunic to feel his torso, and then became suddenly very mindful of what she viewed as her deformed crystalline limb, and she broke the intense kiss.

“Malus! I..! Wait!” The witch moaned in panic as his lips again moved against her neck.

“I can wait no longer.” Malus murmured intently as his hands found the seams of her dress and he pulled them apart, the thick threads loosening easily for him to pull the garb from her shoulders.

“But my hand!” Aura argued meekly, removing her hand from him, to which he quickly grabbed her wrist, firmly but gently.

“You are not dissuaded by my monstrous features, and every inch of you is beautiful.” Malus mused with a serious look as he arched himself slightly to meet Aura’s gaze, “Are you done being nervous?”

She blushed brightly at him, “That’s well.. as I did mention earlier, you’re the first to have witnessed me so exposed before.”

Malus chuckled at her before giving her another heated affection, his hands moved again to tug her dress down, freeing her chest of it’s confines. He then lifted her crystal hand and kissed the delicate skin of her inner wrist while his gaze was locked upon hers. Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson as she watched him, Malus’ sultry gaze as he lavished the witch with affection making her body radiate with heat. After a long moment of the distinct kiss, the demonic elf gently released Aura’s wrist and his attention shifted immediately to her chest he had made exposed before.

Even as his breath caressed over her sensitive skin, Aura gasped, her spine arcing as she instantly lost control of herself. Malus couldn’t stop himself at her reaction, his lips coming around the peak of one side of her ample chest, which only made her begin to sing in delight. Malus kept one hand caressing along Aura’s thigh, and his other hand moved to play with the opposite side of her chest from where his lips worked.

“Malus!” She moaned, both her hands entangled in his hair as her mind was filled only with the tiefling.

He groaned against her skin as he seemingly expertly worked her chest, both with tongue and fingers. His hand at her thigh was unable to remain idle though and shifted to give Aura’s backside a generous squeeze. As Malus moved his fingers eagerly in search of a prize, he brushed against her silky slick want as it dripped from her flower.

Malus was eager to feel more of the cavern elf, but had a feeling that she’d draw attention, and while he could care less about being caught, he didn’t want to share even a glimpse of the jewel in his grasp. He pulled his lips from her chest and moved to kiss her again, his tongue delving deep to entwine and dance with hers before he pushed a finger past her petals, groaning at her tightness just around a single finger.

Aura gasped into the affection, her form squeezing as pleasure after pleasure rippled throughout her body. Then as Malus began to move in and out of her flower, she moaned against his lips in a heated, muffled song, her nectar coating his finger and dripping down her petals inside of her thighs.

Malus wasn’t experienced in this field, but was moving strictly based on instinct, and instinct urged him to insert another, again groaning into the affection he led as her form clinging tighter to him. All the while his other hand kept at her chest, and the sensations were proving too much for Aura.

Her hands moved to his shoulders, her fingertips pressing hard to his muscles as her body flexed and tightened. She could feel a burning heat building within her body and she couldn’t control it. She couldn’t even say for certain exactly what Malus was even doing other than she’d never felt anything even close to so good before. But as her spine tensed and her body contorted to press against Malus she felt two things immediately; the first being his excitement through his clothes, and the second was as he pushed his fingers into her, everything else seemed to fade away as her eyes crossed and she squealed into the affection he kept on her.

Malus’ gaze was narrowed almost lovingly upon Aura’s face as he noted the change. He brought his fingers out and pressed into her flower the same way, earning the same note and he knew he’d found something special. The tiefling elf increased the pace at which he worked Aura’s flower and chest, his own excitement brimming as he drove her to peak.

Aura gasped as she tried to break from his affection in a need for air, and while Malus withdrew his tongue, he kept her lips upon hers to both keep Aura on the quiet side, but to also keep her first peak as his own. Her form arched up, her chest fitting to the palm of his hand perfectly and her legs twitching around his torso and her eyes rolling as he sent her into bliss.

Malus waited for the witch to calm before pulling his lips from hers, wearing a grin as he looked upon her, “You’re quite lovely when you can’t think.”

Aura’s chest heaved as she took a deep breath and looked with a dazed expression at the tiefling, “You.. what?”

Malus chuckled as gave her a kiss, this time a short sweet one as he pulled back near instantly to look upon her, moving his hand from her chest to stroke back her long ivory hair, and slowly removed his fingers from her flower, “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”

“You haven’t garnered any joy from this.” Aura spoke still breathless as her form convulsed in short fits.

The demonic elf pulled her against him as he rolled onto his back, “I found the whole event very enjoyable and very much to my tastes.”

Aura blushed as she now looked down at him, her chest pressed against his and her hair falling to one side like a curtain. Moreso she could still feel his want as it’s hardness brushed against her thighs. Tentatively, she reached one hand south to reach for him.

“But you seem to have a touch of a.. problem.” Aura spoke quietly as she watched him, lifting her hips so she could easily caress his extremity over his clothes.

His gaze narrowed as he felt her touch, “Are you certain this is a route you wish to take?”

“Do you not think we’re beyond such precautions now?” Aura asked, her blush deepening again as she watched him curiously.

“Well then, I’ll admit that I’m not done with you.” Malus mused and then rolled to his side so Aura was no longer atop him.

He removed her gently from him and then pulled his tunic off followed by his slacks and remaining clothing. Malus then refocused on Aura and while her form was mostly exposed, the tiefling wanted to see every inch of her again, and so he pulled loose the last few threads of her garb and easily enough the cloth scraps fell away.

He grinned as he looked over her body, this time from the front, “Who would have ever thought there could be a more worthy sight than seeing you this morning from the back.”

Aura blushed silently as she stole the moment to look over his exposed form as well, and then she whispered, “Upon what I see before me now, I can rightfully say that sight is of you.”

Malus raised an eyebrow as he lifted his gaze to meet hers, “Are you so sure you’re not frightened of my appearance?”

Aura finally smiled again, “Frightened is far from what I would say. Impressed, curious, fascinated.. infatuated, yes.”

Malus felt something stir within him at her words, moreso this time than before when they were standing outside her tent just a short while ago. He could see a determined in her in this moment that he wouldn’t leave without some form of attention, but he wasn’t finished with her either. He wanted more.

Aura gave a quiet yelp of surprise as Malus grabbed her and turned her almost awkwardly and she found herself laying atop him, her legs splayed at either side of his shoulders as he tongue lapping at her flower. Aura gasped as the feeling as alien to even his fingers but felt just as heavenly.

Before her was Malus’ excitement, throbbing with eagerness. She reached a hand to him, running her fingers tentatively down his length, which gave him only the briefest pause in tasting her honeyed flower, but as he quickly regained himself, Malus pushed his tongue inside her.

Aura moaned as the tiefling lavished her, one of his hands giving her backside a squeeze, the other moving north on her form to caress her chest. Aura knew she was faltering and wanted desperately to make Malus feel something of what he’d done for her. Her hand wrapped around his length and slowly began to move up and down, stroking his length, making him groan in satisfaction.

Situated as they were, Malus was propped up slightly at his shoulders by some of the pillows and blankets that adorned Aura’s tent, so despite their obvious height differences, each was able to reach the prize that opposite offered. Aura was careful as she tried to focus on pleasuring Malus despite his adoration of her being so distracting. She kept her hand at a steady pace of stroking his length, and then leaned close, her lips touching the very tip and she started sucking.

Malus had to break away momentarily as he groaned, his hand moving from her chest to take the place of his tongue, “Emm.. Aura..!”

The witch took it as a good sign and parted her lips a bit more, taking the entire head of his member into the warm slick confines of her mouth without slowing the pace at which her hand worked.

But the tiefling elf was quick to recover and channeled his delight right back at Aura as his tongue immediately reclaimed it’s place at tasting her, his hands beginning to move her hips to ride against his movements. She moaned in turned, but refused to give up, drawing her tongue around he tip of him as she continued to suck and stroke at his extremity. His hips jutted up at each pass of her hand, which encouraged her to increased her pace as a whole.

Neither could endure the other’s treatment for long, but Aura was first to meet climax  as Malus moved both his hands to play with her chest which seemed to be winning combination. But she never parted with his length just after she climaxed, Malus groaned, his head glowing back against the pillows.

“Aura.. Watch out..!” He tried to warn, but Aura went down a little more as she sucked on him, and then her eyes went wide as his essence suddenly shot up and filled her mouth.

Malus maneuvered quickly to pulled her off him, and right them so she faced the same direction as him. He nearly burst out laughing as she looked at him with her lips pressed tightly close, holding in his lust as she was obviously unsure just what to do.

“You can spit it out.” He chuckled as he brought both hands to either side of her face and kissed her forehead.

Aura was stunned, both at the taste and the texture and the whole moment. She looked at Malus with a shocked gaze before she decided to swallow and couldn’t help but to squint her eyes shut and make a face at the almost salty taste. She opened her mouth to air out the strange taste, and as Malus saw, he grew instantly enamored with her again and he brought his lips to hers. Aura blushed brightly as she opened her eyes to look at Malus, his gaze narrowed upon hers as he lingered on her lips.

“I don’t understand why or how you’re making me feel this way, and repeatedly.” Malus breathed as he just barely pulled from her lips.

His arms came around her and he felt now how relaxed she was, her body soft as he pulled her completely to him. She sighed as she rested her head against his chest and suddenly the entire day seemed to weigh heavily as exhaustion set in.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Aura murmured even as her eyes closed.

He kissed her forehead and reached back, pulling one of the blankets over their bared forms as night set in full across the camp.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:26, Wed 28 Dec 2022.

Study of the Dark
— — — — —
“What? No. That’s absurd.” Ethan huffed defiantly as he crossed his arms as he reclined in his office chair as he broke his gaze from the ancient Khaibit who stood on he opposite side of the desk.

The corner of Xaver’s lips pulled slightly as he observed the neonate’s reaction, “Is it absurd? I think it would be good for you to be around someone similar in your eternal night as far as age goes. Besides, I know this club makes plenty of revenue to support her as an employee and having her as a guard could give you a new perspective.”

Ethan glared at taller, stronger Mekhet, grumbling, “I’ll have Yvette look at the books and figure out where we can put her IF she can actually pull this off.”

“Well I hope you’ve been practicing your skills. You were aware that I was infiltrating this place seconds before we met, but I wasn’t trying to be stealthy.” Xaver grinned wide as he watched the youth fidget, “My Childe is young and I think you two have opposing strengths and faults, but I’ll curious to see how each of you handles this challenge. I will give her a window of ten nights in which to pull of getting into this office without you stopping her.”

“When does this start then.” Ethan relented as he couldn’t truly argue with the well trained shadow.

“Tomorrow. I shall leave you now so I can inform her of the rules.” Xaver gave a nod and then was gone in an instant.

Ethan leaned back in his seat, sighing as he look up at the ceiling, contemplating how he would handle this test.

— — — — —

“Understood?” Xaver asked his red haired, tattooed Childe as she leaned against the wall in the living room of one of the Giovanni apartments.

She nodded solemnly.

The ancient Mekhet smirked inwardly. He was surprised that he had found someone who spoke less than him. Or rather, his eldest daughter had found her.

“All I’m giving you is the name of the establishment, but getting into Mr. Reise’s office is entirely on you.” Xaver elaborated to his silent protégé, “You can begin your attempts tomorrow and try for ten nights.”

Again, the young woman nodded once, seriously.

— — — — —

The following night Xaver silently shadowed his Childe as she quietly made her way through the streets of the dense city. She moved with purpose, hands shoved the pockets of her leather jacket. She looked for street signs and on foot, quickly made her way towards the club.

The elder Khaibit wasn’t terribly surprised that it take much to find the nightclub as it was one of the jewels of the city’s nightlife, but she didn’t get in line to get in. Instead, he watched as she moved to the shadows and melded away. She scaled a nearby building and perched herself to see the front of the building as well as the side alley where the employee entrance was in her view. She stayed there for nearly the entire night, leaving only an hour before sunrise with Xaver still tailing her.

The next night, she did the same, but scaled the buildings before reaching the club. Her eyes were sharp, shifting at the slightest of movements as she carefully studied the population going to and from below. As Xaver shifted closer to his protégé, however, she caught him off guard.

“Was part of this exercise for you to stalk me each night as well?” She asked bluntly, her gaze never even flickering his way.

With amusement, he came into view beside her, “You certainly have a keen sense, particularly for someone so young.”

“You have a very distinct presence, even when you’re shadowing someone. Maybe it’s because we share a blood bond. Who cares what it is, but don’t treat me like a kid- your kid. You’ve got three and I’m good on my own.” She chastised him.

Xaver stifled a laugh at her brazen words. Certainly in the not-so-distance past he would’ve tossed her from the ledge and into the street below. His time as a member of the Giovanni family had definitely changed his way of thinking.

“I know when I discussed the Embrace with you, it was for protecting Lily, but honing your skills and the like will be good against enemies of the Giovanni.” The ancient Khaibit explained as his gaze shifted to follow his Childe’s.

“Who are now my enemies as well seeing as they adopted me, which still feels like a waste of time considering I was only a month from turning 18.” She added as her gaze focused on a blonde woman leaving through the employee entrance/exit.

“How about you tell me what your doing. Perhaps I can offer a bit of aid without any other interference.” Xaver offered, proud of his choice in Childe even if his daughter Lily was responsible for finding her.

“This woman left about the same time last night, just as flustered as she is now. I wonder what her role is in this place. Clearly she’s not a bartender or server, else she’d be fired and would be leaving with an escort off the premises.” The young Mekhet shared her thoughts.

Xaver looked down to see Yvette leaving through the alleyway, which pulled a smirk across his face. Ethan had a particular fondness for the woman and even Xaver couldn’t deny there was something indescribable alluring to her in a way similar to Selene, but not quite the same either. But knowing what he knew coupled with what his Childe had just noted, Xaver surmised that Ethan was sending Yvette home early so she wouldn’t get caught up in the challenge, which also served to frustrate the Begotten.

“What else?” Xaver asked shortly as he didn’t want to give his Childe anything.

“This woman is not.. a mere human, but she’s not like any of your children, nor kindred. Something else entirely or a different type of what I do know that haven’t encountered yet.” She pondered, “But I’d wager she’s not a vampire since I didn’t see her go in yesterday or tonight. She’s too preened and made up to be risen and here at nightfall, so I’d highly doubt kindred.”

“You’re not one for styling and such, so how do you know how long it takes?” Xaver asked with genuine curiosity.

Her gaze flickered briefly to the ancient Mekhet before returning to the scene below, “Oftentimes Lily asks me to go to her and the Lady Giovanni’s business and she tests looks on me.”

“Oh? I wonder what you would look like so painted.” The Khaibit teased as he failed at attempting to imagine his Childe wearing such elaborate makeup when all she tended she do was some black lining around her eyes, but otherwise was adorned with colorful tattoos down her arms and across her collar bone and shoulder blades.

“I would only do such a thing for Lily, no offense.” She stated bluntly and Xaver felt like she was just blushing.

“Your dedication to her is most admirable and the primary reason why I became interested in you.” He commented.

“I really wish you would stop saying things I already know.” She retorted just as flatly, “At this point you know exactly how I feel about her even if I’ve said it. But, it’s a boundary that I could never cross now. Which does serve your needs.”

Xaver was almost taken aback by her words. He did know that his Childe was in love with his true daughter, but he hadn’t considered the fate of embracing this young woman perched next to him that he had damned her from a deep desire of having Lily. And with that, silence fell across them.

— — — — —

The next few nights passed much the same, but without Xaver’s constant watch as he had other obligations. Ultimately he was fine with the distraction because while he was curious to see how things would play out between the two young Mekhet; who would win. But with other responsibilities looming, he would have to hear the results from one of the competitors.

— — — — —

The sixth night, Xaver’s protégé didn’t return home. She found an abandoned stairwell of an mostly abandoned building that was within short proximity to the club. She had noticed that she wasn’t the only one who had taken the blonde woman into sights and with the patterned timing of things, the neonate could see a problem arising soon, and she was going to take full advantage of it.

The seventh night, Ivy awoke with a throaty gasp as the blush of life flowed through her veins. She scaled down the building from the window she’d entered through the night before and hid within the darkness nearby the alleyway entrance.

Sure enough, after an hour, the blonde woman emerged from the employee entrance, annoyed. And just as the vampire thought, the other two onlookers came around the corner, with a third having snuck around to come up behind the attractive blonde and block her path from moving back inside to safety.

“Well, a pretty lil’ thing like you shouldn’t be wandering around here alone.” One of the men spoke with a slick grin as he eyed her.

Yvette rolled her eyes, shooting back with the hint of a French accent, “I don’t need your help, so be off and away.”

“Hm, I think we should give the lovely lady an escort.” The second man in front of her grinned as he eyed her like a hungry dog.

The third was just coming up behind Yvette when the vampire decided to strike, hitting the second man with a powerful kick squarely between his legs, causing him to howl and drop to his knees.

“What the fuck?!” The first guy turned to see the young Mekhet’s fist crack his nose and upper lip, tearing both his face and her knuckles up.

The third now grabbed Yvette hard to him, “Watch it there girly or I hurt this lady!”

Yvette yelled at all the sudden action and looked at the red-haired vampire, who despite the cool night wore only a black tank top and olive green cargo pants with a pair of men’s boots.

“Why don’t you let her go, and I’ll let you go.” She offered with a flat tone.

“Fucking bitch!” The first yelled as he suddenly surged back to life from his shock and swiped at the vampire’s leg, landing a solid hit just below her knee, with enough force to make her wince at the pain.

But she didn’t stop and her other leg flexed, kicking him in the neck to make him choke for air.

“I’ll make you the offer one last time. Release her unharmed and you can leave without a hit.”

The third man suddenly shoved Yvette forward towards the fledgling Mekhet before charging with a raised arm to strike a heavy punch at her. She caught Yvette and spun to one side, gasping as the guy’s punch made contact against her shoulder. She gently released Yvette and spun, landing a hard kick on the guy, but it only made him strike at her again, this time his fist grazing against her cheek. The vampire struck again, the time willing her blood to flow to her arm and fist, empowering the hit with the natural innate strength of Kindred to uppercut the muscular guy. He grunted and collapsed to her knees in a daze.

“Come with me.” Yvette commanded as she moved to grab the female vampire’s hand and led her back towards the employee entrance with haste.

The Mekhet said nothing as she was pulled gently inside the club’s back rooms.

“I don’t know who you are, but thank you. You certainly didn’t need to step into that mess on my behalf.” Yvette offered as she led the way down a long plain hallway, “The least I can do is to patch you up.”

— — — — —

Ethan walked down the hallway, reviewing the paperwork from the latest salesman, but noticed something felt off. He quickly lowered the printed lists and pricing and jumbles of numbers from his eyes, his gaze narrowing. The door to Yvette’s office was open. Just barely, but he could see a thin strip of light between the door and it’s frame. He had sent her home early every night this week to avoid getting her caught up in anything, although it had upset her quite a bit.

He rushed forward and slammed the door open, his eyes quickly scanning the empty room. It looked as though it was in a mild disarray, as some of the drawers of her filing cabinet were open. Then Ethan heard the siren’s voice from next room over; his own personal office. The door was open, with the light on and he ran for Yvette.

“Oh- hi Mr. Reise.” Yvette offered as she looked wide-eyed at Ethan as he nearly took the door off its hinges.

“What are you doing?” He asked as he quickly scanned her before taking in anything else.

But after seeing that the Begotten was unharmed, his beast stirred. His dark gaze narrowed as he took in that Yvette was standing beside his desk with a first-aid kit open on it’s surface. She attending to another female’s wounds who had clearly been in a fight.

“This young lady came to my rescue as when I was leaving, I was just nearly assaulted by some men.” Yvette explained simply, “I couldn’t leave her just bleeding.”

“You could. She’s a vampire, Yvette.” He stated with wary eyes.

Yvette turned to observe the young woman she was patching up, who looked between the two with an unnatural calm.

“I think the gesture is a nice one and if this is how she wishes to repay me, she may continue.” The female Mekhet answered cooly.

Yvette gave pause as her eyes drifted from Ethan to the female she was tending to, unsure if she should actually continue.

“Just who the fuck are you anyway? How do I know you didn’t set up for Yvette to be assaulted?” Ethan pressed as he stepped towards them to close the distance.

The female narrowed her gaze upon the muscular man, but was undaunted, “Only thing you need to know is that I won the challenge, and the fact that you’d make such a stupid fucking accusation is just a testament to your lack of knowledge on your own surroundings.”

“The fuck you say?” Ethan seethed as he reached to grabbed the female vampire’s neck, but paused as she was still a female with a small physical stature, although he was tall and would dwarf any of the men this upstart woman had faced down a half hour before anyway.

“I spotted those guys checking her out two nights ago, and then yesterday too while I was doing my own surveillance. Miss Yvette has been leaving around the same time every night since I’ve been watching this place. I had other avenues to enter this place and could’ve done it while she was being confronted.” She explained with typical her flat tone to the angry Mekhet.

“Ethan.. she’s not lying. It would’ve been easy for her to slip by considering they were nearly your size.” Yvette offered softly, placing a hand on his arm, the gesture instantly making him relax just enough.

“I was Embraced by Xaver to be a guardian for someone very close to him whom I shared a similar… concern for. I’m not about putting anyone in jeopardy aside from myself.” The female vampire stated with vague conviction.

“Right. So this means you win, but what if we change the rules just a bit so it’s more fair?” Ethan offered with his own streak of seriousness.

“Was this challenge unfair to you?” Xaver’s protégé asked with an eyebrow raised in question.

“I don’t know what else you had to do the past week, but I was still running this place as it’s most involved owner and while you were outside fighting, I was meeting a salesman. Not all of my attention was focused on keeping you out.” Ethan offered his side of the situation.

“So what do you want to do exactly?” The female vampire asked incredulously.

“First to sit in my seat wins.” Ethan stated with a smirk tugging at his lips.

“How about…” Yvette interjected looking at the female vampire, “I at least get the name of my savior tonight? And should I finish bandaging you?”

“Ivy. And you needn’t finish. I’ll heal on my own.” Xaver’s Childe offered as her contemplated both her distance and Ethan’s to the fancy leather chair on the opposite side of the large desk.

Ethan was quick to pick up on his rival’s thought process, “We’re both equally far from the chair. So it’s a fair test for both of us.”

“I agree. And we have a hopefully impartial person to drop the race flag.” Ivy stated as she glanced at Yvette.

“I could announce the start of the this little race, but.. Are you sure you wish to race him though? Given you’re both vampires, I know you must have some of the same.. gifts, but while Ethan is a muscular man, he’s extremely quick too.”

“We are of the same clan and just within a few years Embrace of one another from what I understand, so it’s fine. I’m certain we share many physical traits.” Ivy assure the both of them.

“So we’re settled. Then whenever Yvette is ready.” Ethan smirked.

“Right then. Um.. Ready.. set…!” Yvette announced, lifting one arm and holding it a long moment before, “Go!!”

Yvette barely had time to blink as both vampires were a blur, but as she looked, Ethan was sitting in the chair and Ivy on his lap, both looking smug.

“I win.” Ethan declared quietly before looking to Ivy, and then was instantly taken aback by her grin.

“Your initial words were ‘first to sit in my seat’ and your lap would be yours. So do you win?” Ivy challenged.

Yvette burst into laughter at the reasoning, “I suppose such a thing was unclear, technically.”

“No way, I won, I’m in the chair!” Ethan stated as he glanced between both women.

Ivy leaned back as though she weren’t sitting in another lap, but was reclining on a sofa, “You can keep thinking that, unless you think you can actually win at something.”

Yvette felt her siren stir as she recognized the expression on Ethan’s face at Ivy suddenly languid pose atop him.

“Oh, I will show you just how good I am.” Ethan growled as he flexed and suddenly pinned Ivy to his desk.