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 Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:57 am Post subject: |
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| Great story so far kallana rai. I 'd like to read more. Paradise city sounds like a dump, but aslong as your explaining why I have no complaint about this story.
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NeverNeverGirl
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| Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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The true nature of Dragon is a mystery as yet CF. As to her marking his wrist... this too is also an as yet unsolved mystery.
Stay tuned - Dragon is gonna get interesting...
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Kalanna Rai
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| Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:04 pm Post subject: |
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Indeed folks, why not weigh in on the subject?
What significance could the mark on Paulino's wrist be?
How did Dragon kill Paulino?
These are questions that maybe you could come up with an interesting answer to arn't they? Weigh in, start discussing, and before you know it we might have something else to pick your brains over.
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"It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..."
"Music makes you braver."
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:06 am Post subject: |
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Okay, I know it's been a while but we're back on track. For the record this is the fourth time I've tried posting this, the other three times my net shut down just as I was nearing completion.
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The Damned and the Harlot
"Albert, such a common name. I would go by something else also were I called such. What do you want here? Tara and I grow weary. No more bullshit! Speak more lies, and you may as well leave now having said naught." Tara glanced appreciatively at Dragon, then returned her icy eyes to Albert.
"I have been honest with all, except my name. Honestly, what is in a name? If fate did not draw us together for some reason, placing us in the park at the same time, then does it truly matter what I am called? For in that case, we should never meet again, and my name would mean nothing to you as your memory of me faded. Forgive me for being guarded with my true identity." Albert wondered what response, and from whom, his words would bring forth.
Tara spoke, to Albert's great relief, but his small glimpse of hope was shattered at her words. "Paladin, I am tired. I do not have the desire to entertain more liars this evening. Good night to you." Barely had the words escaped her lips before she was standing, her tea put aside as so many forgotten lovers. She carried herself with grace to her sleeping chambers. Dragon smiled at him. "I believe that you can find your own way out, yes?"
Albert stood. He was confused at the treatment that he had received, yet, he believed that he understood one thing: It was chance that they had met, and nothing good would come from it. He sighed, hoping that nothing ill was waiting for him. She was very attractive, whatever else she may have been. He would hate to have to kill her and Dragon for such a triviality as his name.
Tara waited several minutes after Albert departed before nodding to her PA. "Dragon, follow him, see what you can learn of him. Perhaps we shall meet again, for I almost feel that we are not through with him. Perhaps God has finally given me a chance at redemption, through this paladin, Albert." Dragon bowed to her. "As you wish, Tara, but don't hope that God is through with you just yet." He turned and walked out after his prey.
As the door shut behind Dragon Tara let out a sigh. Taking a deep draught from her tea cup she slipped out of the patio doors and wandered onto the balcony. The air, while murky and heavy with the pollutions of the city in most other areas, was here light and sweetened with the perfumes drifting up from her gardens below.
Standing there Tara looked out over the vista of lights before her, the city resembled nothing so much as a fairy world from up here yet she knew the relaity was very far from that.
As she began to ponder the recent events and the meeting with the Paladin, Tara suddenly smelt something that reminded her of nothing so much as the cinema. A feeling of being observed swept over her and the hairs on her neck rose with a shiver.
Turning Tara could make out the silhouette of Dragon lingering under the branches of a tree overhanging the balcony. Walking forwards she spoke to him, her voice low and puzzled. "Dragon, why are you lurking in the shadows like that?"
"Hum, I've never been accused of lurking before. Sneaking yes and brooding. Oh most definetely brooding. But not lurking." Tossing his empty popcorn bag away, Bastin stepped out of the shadows with a smirk on his face causing Tara to step back towards the railing, an involuntary defensive action.
"You. Who are you? Why are you here?" Her eyes gleamed as she studied him.
"I am that which heaven forgets and hell looks upon in wonder. I am...myself. And as for what I am doing here tonight. I sent a dove in to the lair of the spider speaking false words. Now the spider smiles in fury and a dragon tails the dove. I supposed I could pay my respects to the queen harlot before night ends." His wings flicked a bit in the night and he noticed Tara following them with her eyes for a moment before they returned to his face.
A sardonic smile pasted itself on the womans fair visage. "Oh is he your puppet? How sweet. Can you make him dance too?" Her words dripped honeyed sarcasm, ruby lips never loosing their smile. She was goading him but it was too near dawn for Bastin to be drawn by such plays.
"I would not call a paladin a puppet and, unlike you, I pull no strings and make none dance. I dance to music played for my ears alone." He cocked his head to the side as if to emphasize the point, the soft night breeze playing with his crimson locks. His wings wrapped tight to his body as he stood with folded arms across from Tara.
She brushed past him and entered her home, and he caught her glancing back at him as he moved to lean nonchalantly against the railing, arms still folded. Then, without another thought to his presence, she began to disrobe, another set of clothing laying draped over a chair and awaiting her body to fill them. "I always preferred to climb trees," she said so softly only his unnatural senses could have heard her. "dancing never quite did it for me."
Bastin extended his wings and folded them again, trying to banish the restless feeling that was building in them. Dawn was nearing, but not so close he had to dash off yet. He extended them again and stared at them. "Climbing lacks appeal I'm afraid. I suppose I'm quite jaded to my usual means of locomotion," he folded his wings with a snap. "Walking." He finished with a half laugh. He turned his eyes toward the twilight heavens, averting them from Tara's nearly nude form. "And please...lust was never my sin. Keep your wiles to yourself woman."
Tara looked sharply up at Bastin, profiled in the last starlight, then back down at the clothing she was gathering to put on. "Seduction was the last thing on my mind," she said with a soft laugh.
Suddenly he was standing there gazing at the obvious oppulance of her room. The grandiose, but tasteful, decor and furnishings that screamed comfort and luxury. It was easy to see from the tight lines of his face that he didn't approve of the expense shown. "Lucky me then," he said returning his midnight blue gaze to her. "I've had my fill of such pettiness for one night. Indeed you're almost refreshing in your refraining. But then I smell vamp on you." His look turned dangerous as he hissed his words at her. "How many have you courted this evening?"
Not waiting for her response and unable to stand the excesses of her chambers any longer, he returned to the balcony and sat on the rail, one leg stretched out infront of him, the other bent so he could rest an arm on his knee. "Do you so lust for power that you would stoop to the Embrace? The kiss of the demon mother and her damned lover?"
"Death came courting me tonight. Ashes are all that remain." Tara replied in a low but firm voice. Sitting down at her vanity, she picked up a silver backed brush and arranged her hair into a loose ponytail. Then she took a soft cloth and removed all of her 'warpaint', leaving not a trace of makeup on her features. "I desire no power a demon kiss would grant," she told her reflection. "What of your own desires?"
With his hair flung forward to hide much of his face, Bastin lifted a long finger to gently touch one of the fangs that were slightly extended within his mouth, a grim smile revealing the little pleasure he took from the action. "I was a rather unwilling party to my own Turning. All I desire is to regain that which I've lost." His smile faded as his hand fell away from a face he upturned towards the sky, gauging the dwindling time left before dawn.
Tara rose from her vanity and slowly walked out on the balcony until she was standing next to him. "With all the vampyer attacks lately it's hard to imagine my life without struggle. All I wanted has been lost as well...but to Time."
Her words caused Bastin to gaze at her sharply, his words slow and deliberate. "Time is something I understand well. I seem to have more than I ever wanted now that all I possess is empty of joy." Suddenly he leaned toward Tara and inhaled deeply, savoring the bloodscent that still clung to her. "Interesting. That's a rather rare bloodline who's scent still clings to you. Where might you have come by a set of those fangs?"
Tara shivered slightly, a human reaction to something so inhuman being too close for comfort. "Somewhere between Dinner and Dessert, a Senator I was entertaining 'changed'. Lucky for me Dragon showed up when he did." She laughed loudly. "Risk is something I don't normally indulge in without prior knowledge. Crystal chandeliers, expensive champagne, and blood sucking monsters...it was certainly a night to remember."
Bastin didn't so much as flinch when Tara emphasized the words 'blood sucking monsters' even though he knew there was implied insult to him. Instead he leaned even closer, so close he was almost touching the top of her head, and with closed eyes to focus his senses better he inhaled deeply again. The scent invaded his nostrils and he knew he could not be uncertain of it's origins, uncertain of the bloodline. His fangs dropped to their full, lethal length as a sudden killing rage overtook him. Luckily though dawn was too near for it to last long, just long enough for him to hiss through his fangs. "The bastard."
Faster than the eye could follow, Bastin was on his feet and staring down at a suddenly fragile seeming Tara. A bit of a mocking smile played on his face as he spoke down to her. "I feel sorry for you. The last time my foe moved this openly in the world, I became what I am. What hope have you?" He suddenly swept into a bow remniscent of ages long past, courtly and elegant with his wings sweeping grandly a low laugh betraying the fact he was not paying her any deference. "I must take my leave of you now," he said straightening. "The sky has turned the color of raw meat and I must away before something truely dreadful happens."
He turned to the sky, then turned back and locked eyes with Tara. Not to mesmerize or ensorcel or bespell, but simply to drive his point home. "I caution you to stay well away from the nighttime shadows. And call off your pet. The paladin is mine for now."
"Dragon is no pet," Tara spat vehemently back at him. "Best you mark that Fangboy, he's under no orders of mine." With that she turned and gracefully walked back into her rooms, the door shutting with a soft click behind her. As if a simple lock could keep Bastin out.
Looking at the french doors he couldn't help but chuckle. His voice, however, was all buisness and cold as granite. "Call me Fangboy again and I'll do something that will make my better half disown me." And with that final statement he took to the skies like a streak of black. A single ebony feather remained behind, resting on the balcony...a bleak reminder...
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Bastin only barely made it back to the sanctity of his home, not twenty minutes before the sun rose. Already he was in agoney as the brilliant tendrils of the first light touched his pale flesh. Slamming open the doors, he sent them slamming shut behind him with a gust of wind from his wings, staggering deeper into the renovated church that served as his home on Earth.
He didn't get very far before brilliant light poured through the stained glass windows, a single spotlight of it coming through the east-facing circular window above the doors and illuminating him fully. He gritted his teeth as his 'better half pushed forward' a breif moment shared between the two halves of the same being. For a moment, Bastin felt the utter disgust and loathing he held for himself, shoving arrogance and equal distaste back.
As his split soul battered itself, his body underwent changes, from shadow to sun dwelling. The ebony color of his wings slowly drained away, like ink from a bottle, to be replaced by a buff creme threaded with tawny gold. His marble pale skin became an even golden tan, the tan of a man who was forever standing in sunlight. His hair, the color of fresh blood, turned the color of a wheat field with a kiss of strawberry roan to draw the eye. And the final transformation, as the stain on his soul retreated to the depths, his eyes went from midnight to midday. Blue murder to sky blue.
Slowly, this new Sebastine forced himself to stand fully in the light of the new day, limbs shaking slightly as he bowed his head before his god, cross glimmering with a brilliant light. "I give thanks that I might see another sunrise. I repent what dark deeds I have done and will do yet again when night falls. And I seek your guidance for the day."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he felt something press against the barriers the marked the edge of the sacred ground that had been given to his keeping. His blue eyes glittered and he retrived his sword. "Thy will be done." And Seb went forward into the dawn to face battle.
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Okay. What do you think could be improved?
_________________
"It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..."
"Music makes you braver."
Last edited by Kalanna Rai on Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Crunchyfrog
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:45 am Post subject: |
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Okay now I'm confused! This doesn't seem to run on from the last chapter posted Here where Tara has some kind of out of body experience. We last left her half way down a marble staircase, going to visit her girls, and the Senator gazing up at her from below.
Is this a draft version for discussion with the final version being posted into the main story thread? (that might be a cool idea to do in linear, actually)
Perhaps you need to make it clear how these two threads are going to work together. Another idea might be to post a 1 para synopsis at the top of the chapter (like D-Lotus does for Bittersweet Reverie) if there's been a long time between chapters.
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Kalanna Rai
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| Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:58 am Post subject: |
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This is a rough draft Crunchy. It's been one of the ideas of the ILS from the beginning to put up rough drafts for the readers to look over, make suggestions on, and smooth into decency.
And no, it continues on from the Dp where Tara wonders what to do about Albert. I'm waiting for Ne and Meph to finish the opening chapter discussion between Albert and Tara but we thought it would be nice for the readers to have a partial chapter to look over. Some new material to keep folks interested.
This chapter is far from finished.
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"It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..."
"Music makes you braver."
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Serge Wolf
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:40 am Post subject: |
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Alrighty, First off, I personally think this is a good concept, and I like the theme and the potential for where this is heading. the characters, seem to have good dialog and are well thought out and blend really well with the setting for where it is.
That said, The story jumps two quick for MY taste. I got a bit confused at a few points as to what exactly was taken place. The chapters seem to fast forward past a few hours each time, leaving out specific information.
Other than that, so far its a good read, it might need some more organization, but, I'm probably wrong. Just wanted to put in my 2 Cents.^^
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| Posted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject: |
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All in all, I enjoyed reading it. It has a good feel to it, there were times where I got a bit lost and I had to re-read that certain part again to fully understand what was going on.
But overall, its an excellent read.
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Kalanna Rai
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| Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Okay we've edited both the Story version and the latest chappy so that everything flows smoothly. Please take a look and give us your feedback! Thanks!
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"It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..."
"Music makes you braver."
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Kalanna Rai
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| Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Originally posted by Mephistophles...
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Unholy Revelations
Seb blinked his eyes in the early morning sun as the sounds of clashing steel greeted his ears. There, fighting between the gateposts, was the young paladin, blade flashing in the dawn. Opposite him was a creature garbed in black, something that was once a man but no longer could be called such. The ruddy blade it wielded wavered each time the paladin's blessed weapon impacted upon it but managed to hold firm, twisting only slightly in it's master's grip. Seb was impressed by the paladin's technique, a blend of old and new world styles that was surprisingly effective given the man's hampered space.
Sweat rolled down his brow, his white hair sticking to forehead and temples as his eyes blazed in concentration. His injuries were slight, too minor to do more than barely note, while his foe was streaming dark maroon. The sight sickened Seb, who took a step forward from his doorway. His keen eyes picked out the tremor in the paladin's muscles, the slight slowing of his blows. He was exhausted. If he didn't defeat his foe soon, sheer lack of energy would do him in. It was time to end this.
Seb gently struck his blade against the flagstones of the path, a pure sweet note ringing in the morning air and drawing the eyes of the combatants. He raised the blade slowly as the combat stopped and he held their full attention. Deliberately he pointed it at Albert and smiled. "You are welcome." His smile faded as the blade swung toward the dark one, his voice hard and cold. "You are not. Leave now."
For a moment the dark one paused then, as if realizing it had failed, it turned and bolted into the fading shadows. The paladin sheathed his blade, nodding thanks as he sagged against the gate post. Walking up, Seb lent him a shoulder. "He was draining your energy, I'm surprised you're on your feet. Come, you can rest here for the day."
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Bastin grinned ruthlessly as he held the paladin aloft. Obviously Albert wasn't too keen on flying but it was the swiftest way to reach the Honeypot...and the one least likely to announce their arrival to the world. It was a strain, flying wasn't his strong suit at night, but it wasn't beyond him. Sighting the balcony from the night before, he swooped down and aimed to land them both on it. Then the sounds of conflict reached his keen ears, causing him to pause and hover. "It seems we are not the first visitors...the harlot seems beset by an unwelcome suitor."
Diving down he dropped Albert onto the stone, the paladin landing on his feet and drawing his blade smoothly. Bastin followed suit, folding his wings tightly. They both peered into the room to see Tara dodging and ducking around the shambles of her fine furnishings, hurling whatever came into reach at another of those darkened servants such as Albert had faced that morning. "Well...shall we?" Bastin asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing the paladin would insist on action.
They burst into the room at the same moment, silent and grim as the dim lights of the room danced on the edges of their swords. For a moment action froze as the balance of power shifted. Tara held a single Desiel heeled boot in her hand, poised to throw as a flash of fear went through her eyes. Her assailant’s lips peeled back over slightly pointed teeth in a silent snarl, the courage the action gave him dying when Bastin's own grim smile displayed fangs more than an inch long.
Albert suddenly went into action, his blade lunging forward while Bastin sprang upward to cut from above. The boot Tara expertly hurled drove it's spike-like heel into the cheek of the attacker as he dodged Albert's blow and parried Bastin's. For a moment the three of them traded blows while objects continued to rain down upon them whenever Tara found something else she could throw with any effect. It was a stalemate, maneuverability favoring the lone attacker who didn't have to coordinate his attacks on the fly. He adopted Tara's earlier strategy of avoid, evade, and used his weapon to block the few blows that did manage to near his body.
He was slowly working his way to the door when a roar from the entrance announced the arrival of Dragon. The distraction he provided made the assailant hesitate for a split second, a second that cost him his life as Bastin and Albert both sent powerful blows his direction. Albert's split him from crotch to shoulder while Bastin's struck off his head, sending a spray of blood across the wall. As the body slumped to the ground, Dragon moved to stand before Tara protectively.
The three men stared at each other, none of them keen on the idea of being the first to lower their blade...
Albert spoke to Tara awkwardly, "Ummm, hello again Tara. Please forgive me for my earlier deception. I was given...poor advice." Albert looked to Bastin with a gleam of malice in his eyes.
Bastin raised his hand. "That was my bad. What did you expect? I'm damned for heaven's sake! So sue me paladin. "
'Deception? That implies a chance that you wouldn't be found out. The moment you breathed near Dragon he knew your darkest thoughts.' Tara spoke to Albert in her "I'm so much better than you" voice, making him feel slightly ashamed, and angry.
"Well, okay, I wasn't aware that HE would be here. I don't anything about any of you." Albert was about to continue, but Bastin cut him off.
Bastin arches eyebrow and grinned nastily. "Hmmm...really? Pretty boy knows all MY darkest thoughts too?"
'You are, perhaps, the exception Fangboy.' Tara replied to Bastin's query.
With a hiss Bastin raised his blade, then thought of a better retort. "Care to take them for a spin? I'll make an exception after tonight..."
Dragon grinned from behind Tara's shoulder... 'She may just like it..'
"No doubt Dragon. No doubt..." Bastin replied back.
"This isn't getting us anywhere, Dragon, Bastin. I see a lot of coincidences, like all three of us dealing with demon attacks within the last day, and I would like some help in understanding why US." Albert was looking from Bastin to Dragon to Tara and back to Bastin. He wondered if this was all just coincidence or if there was a meaning.
"I never help matters...damn it I should have brought the popcorn again!" Bastin looked around the wreck of an apartment, before taking a seat and putting his feet up.
"What do you mean, should have brought popcorn again? What, did you watch the little fiasco that you initiated last night?" Albert looked at the smug smile on Bastin's face, then towards the heavens, muttering heavily under his breath.
'When she puts on a show, Tara makes it worth watching.' Dragon moved out of range of Tara's hand, nimbly stepping away.
Bastin snickered at Albert. "Temper, temper paladin. And I've seen better Dragon."
"Anyways, Tara, I am deeply apologetic for attempting to lie to you this morning. Can we start anew?" Albert recognized that if he continued to address Bastin or Dragon things were never going to go anywhere. He had to get someone thinking in this group.
'Its okay', Tara sighed. It had been a long night and she was over it. 'What exactly is going on here?'
Bastin laughed, causing everyone to turn to look at him. "What? Why are you all staring at me?"
'You have popcorn in your teeth...' Dragon chuckled at his own joke.
Bastin idly picked at a fang, pulling clear a long bone shard. "Whoopsie. I guess I bit deeper than I thought. My bad...again. As for what is going on here...give me a moment." Bastin stood and inhaled deeply. Then wandered over to the body and knelt beside it. After another sniff, he lapped some of the blood from the cooling corpse. Hissing through extended fangs, he stood swiftly and stalked back to Tara. "Hold still."
Dragon made a purely instinctual step in front of Tara. He had drawn his sword with a fluid grace before she had even registered Bastin's comment. "Move Dragon unless you can tell me why that man's blood sings of silver." Bastin pulled his own blade, his eyes pits of murderous blue. "I won't harm her...it's not in my best interests."
'Burns silver?' Tara stepped sideways past Dragon. Their moves had begun to resemble a hypnotic rhythm of dance... 'Do you mean...'
Before a reaction can be made, Bastin's tongue touches Tara's throat, tracing her jugular. He steps back quickly, shaking his head. "Lucky us...no marks." He sheathed his sword and returned to stand over the body. "Keep her away from me Paladin. I've got to think."
"What, you expect her to attack you or something?" Albert stepped between Tara and Bastin, wondering what was going to happen next.
Bastin shook his head again, like a man beset by flies. "No...she's of no danger to me...the reverse does not apply. Her blood...it calls." He moved further away, a hand moving up to his cross which had begun to glow. "He wants you so very badly...you are in grave danger."
Tara had thrown her hand to her throat at Bastin's silken caress. She stepped toward him as he moved away, her other hand attempting to shove Albert out of her path.
"So many years I have tracked him...to find him drawn out by you is unthinkable. Yet it also makes perfect sense." Bastin turned to face the group, only to find Albert's efforts at keeping Tara at bay had failed, for Tara stood face to face with him. "Get back woman!"
'I tire of this game Fang, give me your kiss and end it now..' Tara tilted her neck gracefully to the side as she tempted and goaded Bastin.
"Cain...her blood is...NO! I will not be damned doubly!" Bastin closed his eyes as Tara put her hand to his chest. The two stood still as statues, locked together by Tara's touch. They stood mesmerized, their eyes locked, Bastin's body tense, Tara's as still as the surrounding night. Albert and Dragon stood silently, watching the two, both wondering what they should do, if anything, but remaining inactive. [I] What the hell is wrong with them? What is going to happen? What should I do? [I] Albert was used to seeing demons, killing them, and then not thinking of anything else but finding his next victim. Everything that had been happening was more than he was used to dealing with. It wasn't as if he had ever spoken to God. He had merely gotten God's blessing, and a weapon that was equally blessed. This was outside his realm of understanding.
Albert decided that something must be done, so he stepped forward towards the two. Just as he got within arms reach, Bastin's arm struck out with preternatural speed, striking Albert hard in the chest. He then grasped Tara by the hair, pulling her head back to better expose her neck, bringing her slowly towards his sharp fangs. Drawn by the link between them, the unknown bond of a hereditary line or something more powerful, Tara reached forward and stroked Bastin's face, causing him to lose his grip on her throat.
'Well is the love-fest over or what?' Dragon grabbed the Paladin by the arm and pulled him to his feet. 'What the hell just happened here?'
"You were there watching it with me, why don't you tell me?" Albert took a breath, pain shooting through his sternum, which he feared was cracked. "Stupid vamp can't control his actions when he is entranced."
Bastin's cross grew ever brighter as he muttered something low. "Who's entranced boy? You have no idea what I'm doing...and trying not to do..."
A figure emerged from the shadows, hands clapping in sardonic applause, a smug smile on his face. 'And the lovers kissed and they lived happily freaking after...' His smarmy accent caused the group to turn towards the figure... Bastin's words cut through the silence.
"You'd like me to love her, or even lust after her. But lust was never my sin..." A smile warped Bastin's lips as he addressed the newcomer. "Tell your master I'm waiting. He can quit hiding whenever he likes. Or did you not think I could smell Him on you?"
Dragon was at the messengers side in a flash, sword drawn and at his throat. 'Demon scum, think we are afraid of your kind?'
'Whatever, like I care. I have a message for you....' The demon glanced at all assembled, never considering the blade that bit into his flesh as he did so. His eyes came to rest on Bastin last. 'It has come to be that she is She, and all that await her shall rise again...'
"No..." The word is soft and torn from Bastin as he looked from Tara to the messenger and back.
"Screw all this," Albert said as he pulled his blade, slicing off the demons head, sparks shooting out from between his and Dragons immobile weapon. "What the hell was that supposed to mean? Bastin, Bastin! When are we going to get some bloody answers, seeing as how you seem to have some clue as to what is going on here!"
Before anyone could guess what was about to happen, Bastin caught hold of Tara and sunk his fangs in deep, then pulled back, changed his angle and bit again. The result was four puncture wounds in the shape of a cross. "I'd rather be damned than see it again..."
Dragon and Albert flew at Bastin, tackling him and wresting Tara from his grip. Bastin stood like a man beaten, a single tear rolling from his eye, but his cross was still in place...and his flesh did not burn.
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Tara lay on the ground unconscious. Albert squatted behind her, running his fingers over the wounds that Bastin had inflicted. He looked towards Bastin, who was being restrained by Dragon, though without much effort. There seemed to be no fight in Bastin, who just hung limply in the not so gentle grasp of Dragon. Bastin didn't even look up as Albert spoke to him. "What the hell did you just do?"
Bastin spoke quietly, in a voice barely audible to those near him, "I marked her."
"You better not have bloodsucker!" Anger welled up in Dragon's voice, his grip on Bastin's shoulder’s increasing in pressure.
Albert checked Tara's rapidly failing pulse. In reaction to Albert's motion, Bastin spoke again. "She won't have one much longer unless I am allowed to close the wound."
"You will do no such thing! You will stay away from her! You understand me?" Dragon turned his head in Albert's direction. "Do something paladin."
Albert shook his head sadly. "This is beyond my abilities, Dragon. How do we know that you won't do something stupid again, Bastin? How can you expect us to trust you after what you just did?"
"You don't know, that is the risk of trusting someone." Bastin spoke a little more loudly, "And what I did was not stupid, it was the only thing that I could do. You don't have time to waste. She'll die without my intervention."
Dragon released Bastin, defeated. "Help her, you're her only hope." Bastin fell to the floor as Dragon stepped away.
Albert pulled his sword, grimacing with pain as the weight of it tugged at his broken ribs. "Know this, Bastin. You harm her any further, and I will make sure that your head and body part ways."
Bastin's laughter trickled out to the room’s occupants as he looked at Albert. "Paladin, in this condition I am of very little danger. Hold her still if you must feel useful. You're threat is wasted however. Though death would truly be a blessing, this is not the hour, nor are you the means, for my departure from this plane."
Albert laid his sword close at hand, then cradled Tara's head within both his hands. With great effort, Bastin rose and approached Tara's body. Dragon slouched against the wall as he watched, defeated. Every step that brought Bastin nearer to Tara seemed to drag him lower, until finally he stood stooped over her still form. He slowly dropped to one knee, his head moving towards Tara's neck. With two quick swipes of his tongue the wounds were closed. He moved away from her, each step slow and deliberate, as if it pained him to move from her side. He collapsed in the nearest chair, looking exhausted.
Albert moved one hand to gently place Tara's hair over her neck, hiding the already healing wounds. He looked at her peaceful face, then turned on Bastin. "Now, what is going on? Why have you done this to her?"
Bastin smirked at Albert. "I already told you, I marked her. It's for her protection, really."
Albert said nothing, his gaze not leaving Bastin's. "I don't understand why you have done this. Can you please elaborate and cease being vague?"
Bastin sighed, “A mark is not something that is done lightly. It is like a vampiric 'no trespassing' sign. If anyone should try to bite her, they are going to get a nasty psychic shock. The shape of the mark will add it's own pain too."
"Fine, but what possessed you to find this necessary?"
"Because, Cain was sending his minions. To break that mark, he'll have to come himself. I doubt that there is yet another alive that would be capable of doing it." Bastin raised his hands in an empty gesture. "What else could I have done? You allowed her to get near me! The only other option I had was to let us all be damned and give her what she wanted."
"And what did Tara want from you? From all that I have seen, she doesn't seem to like you that much." Albert looked at Tara again, who had not stirred or shown any sign of being okay. Dragon however, pulled himself out of his slump and stated matter of factly, "The blood has outted.”
"Indeed, Dragon it has. It wasn't what Tara wanted, it was what Lilith wanted. She cares for me far more than I care for her." Bastin moved his gaze towards Dragon, who had begun to approach Tara.
"There is a legacy, paladin," spoke Dragon, "that few know of."
"Yes, I wish that I knew nothing of it," replied Bastin, his hands moving to hold his head.
"Tara is of the line of Lilith," began Dragon. "She who was the first wife of Adam, the scion of damnation, the original seductress. I have guarded the line for an eon on the orders of my Master. I was charged with killing the first in whom the blood rises. I have slain no one yet."
Bastin's eyebrows perked in interest. "Sammael still has a stake in this then?"
"Indeed he does, Fangs."
Bastin hissed through his teeth. Call me Fangs again and I swear that I'll go feral on you, Dragon. I'm in no mood or condition for insults."
"I protected her for so long, and this long toothed bastard.." Dragon's words were cut off as Bastin laughed, his eyes traveling from Tara to Dragon.
"Oh, isn't that just rich! Welcome to the club Dragon, yet another pawn in her game!" Bastin continued chuckling, tears coming to his eyes from his laughter.
"So, you have to kill her? Why did you plead for Bastin to save her then?" Albert looked at Dragon, the sight of Bastin laughing making him ill at ease.
"Do not question me, paladin! You know not to who you speak!" With rapid grace, Dragon bent low, scooping Tara off the ground. He turned away from Bastin and Albert and began to carry Tara to her private chambers.
"You better go with them, paladin. I'm not fit company right now."
Bastin waited until they were gone and no sign of their return was given. Then, mustering the last of his fading strength, he rose from the chair. Turning wearily towards the french doors, he made it only to the balcony before sinking to his knees.Turning a face stained with tears of blood to the sky, he asked a single question. In that single question, that single word, was contained the world of his pain. "Why?" As he waited, defeated in the darkness, wings spread behind him like a torn cape, no answer was forthcoming. The damned were not to know the will of God.
_________________
"It's not just about living forever...the trick is living with yourself forever..."
"Music makes you braver."
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Lilith
Honored Citizen
Joined: 10 Feb 2007
Topics: 82
Posts: 1597
Location: Happily curled up in a Daemon's lap
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