Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[nightray]

Ray

I snarl as I hear Cats cry in my mind and from out side. With out thinking I slam the window open jumping out side my swords drawn and ready as my eyes dart around searching. I look up at the roof as I hear a faint noise from up there then from the other side of the cabin as if some one jumped from the roof to the ground.

My eye’s lock on cat kneeling on the grown her arms raped around her as she rocks back and forth grief in her posger. My mind goes out to her cersing as I do a name comes to the serfis Joseph. I freeze shock keeping me from moving for a moment. I then sheath my swords and help Cat back up on to her feet.

“Come sister get in side and tell use what happened.” I say softly as I walk her around to the front door. I open it leading her in side I sit her down on a chair kneeling in front of her my hands cupping her cheeks my eyes looking in to here’s. “Calm down sis you must have control calm down.” I say softly my fingers caressing her cheek softly as warmth from my ring flows in to her landing her some of my strength.

I resist the erg to run after the one that did this whether it’s Joseph or some one ells the erg to hunt and get rid of some of this bodeld up rage is almost over powering but I have to save it for the one that truly deserves it Mongrel.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

I listen as she explains, none of it really making sense, but all of it seeming to come from the heart. SHe was dead, and this Mongrle brought her back? Almost dead?
I opened my mouth to speak, to ask her of this Lance character who dies and returns somehow, wanting to know where he was and how we could find the other ring-bearer, when Ray suddenly leapt out the window.
I quickly unwrapped the weapons I held in my hand and dropped all but the spear, moving to the window to back the man if it was necessary. I wasn't certain what had happened, why Kat was on the ground as she was or who or what Ray was looking for near the roof, but I knew if the man was so alarmed, something must be wrong, or close to it.
Knew? I'd just met the man and I trusted his instincts so?
After a moment, he seemed content that whatever the danger was, it was gone, then led her inside and sat he down on a chair, trying to calm her.
I stood near the window, uncertain whether it was wise to leave the opening unguarded, and waited to see what unraveled here.

 

[poohlive]

Dark and brooding. The only way to describe it with just words. The words didn't do it justice though, it worked its way through the words. The feeling itself of death and decay molded throughout the entire place, sickening anyone to his stomach.
Mongrel quite liked the place.
Large stone pillars surrounded the forest floor inside here. They had been travelling for an hour or so through thick jungle, trees able to blot out the sun for miles and miles. Magic throbbed here, like a wound open near the heart. It echoed throughout the trees from this one single spot.
A room, the pillars all came together to sport one single room. In that room was a small slab of rock, somewhat flat. Dark shadows lined this rock's surface, much darker than any of the shadows surrounding. They almost seemed thick enough to pick up. Mongrel let a finger go out to it. For a moment he watched as the black form lifted from the rock to touch him.
He stopped it just short, "Amazing."
The shadows formed together. They piled on top of themselves, as if molding to the slab. Mongrel watched with keen interest. The shadows, dancing and writhing inside each other took hold of a human form.
It expanded from the rock's surface, out to complete the dimensions of the man. The black swirls took a solid form. Mongrel could no longer see the rock's surface beneath it. All he saw now were charcoal swirls of shadow dancing around the form they now inhabited.
Like a whisper Lance came through this hazy fuzz. He was breathed into existance. Shadows fell from him, and his form remained.
Mongrel bit his lower lip, looking at the vampire with renewed favor.
"I had thought I would have to let you sit down in my dungeon for days until the silver sapped your strength... but this was just so much easier."
Mongrel let a piece of old parchment fall from his hands, right onto Lance's chest. There, the black sun held its form, and grew bright with passion as the parchment touched him. A single rune was enscripted on the stone, but it disappeared as soon as the paper touched Lance's skin.
It appeared on his forehead, embedded into the skin as if it had been there since birth.
Lance opened his eyes, troubled tear filled eyes. He fought it, for all of his worth to humanity he fought it, but it had already tainted him, and he was too weak to do much else.
Blood filled his eyes, and nothing was left but black soulless pupils in a sea of red.
Lance looked at Mongrel with a new understanding about it all.
"Where's the last page."
"I don't know," Lance said this almost in a hurt tone, as if he wished he had known where it was, so he could tell his new master.
"Who does?"
"Aria. She has the clue."
Mongrel growled deep in his throat. That fucking bitch, it all went back to that fucking bitch. He wanted to rip her heart out of her chest with a fevered passion.
"Lance, my servant..."
"Yes."
"I need you to find me the page. Persuade Aria to tell you where it is, and then destroy her, and all of those travelling with her."
Lance nodded, getting off of the rock. His strength now returned, with a new vengeance. The evils of the rune ran through him as well, adding fuel to an already unstoppable fire.
"Lance, you do know that run disbands you from the book, don't you?"
Lance nodded," I am mortal."
Mongrel agreed, "As mortal as any vampire. So, if they kill you."
"I will die."
"Good boy. Make sure not to tell them this little fact. If you win I will have the book, but in some offset chance they should defeat you, they will destroy their only chance at surviving."
Lance had already left, running through the forest like a wild beast out for the hunt.
Mongrel began to walk back out to his awaiting chopper, "Sometimes this is just too easy."
His laughter echoed through the forest.

 

[Sweetp4u]

AB

She sat listening to what the woman said, trying to make sense of it and failing. She tensed up a little as she watched Christian and Ray go out through the window.

"What's going on?" She stood up quickly and moved to the window to peek out. Seeing only Cat and then two men, she paused and stayed back.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I allowed Ray to lead me back inside slowly fighting to get my thoughts back into some type of sense. Reaching out I grabbed the only solid thing left to me, Wrapping my arms around Rays shoulders I buried my head in his neck as tears ran down my face and sobs shook my body. I spoke to him mind to mind, "Joseph is helping to protect the family but he says I left him that I turned my back on him...........what is he talking about???" I pull away slightly looking to everyone else, "I apologize for the drama but I've just had a bit of a shock." TUrning to Aria I look her in the eye, "Joseph is here".

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Paling considerably, I can not think of a single thing to say?

"He is?" Stunned was the only reaction I could muster, my mind working over time.
"Are you sure?" I stood from the couch and felt a little wobbly.
"It could have been an imposter.. I seen him die.." Mumbling under my breath, I didn't know if it was a trap or real?

Without another word, I turned and walked outside, moving around the house and looking. "JOSEPH?" I called out at the top of my lungs, afraid he'd answer and afraid he wouldn't.

Getting nothing, I was even more confused by the lack of a responce. Was he upset, angered with me? It was my own stupidity that got our son killed.

Turning back to the cabin after a long silence I glanced at everyone in the room.
"I need.. to lay down. excuse me." Shaken, a little uncertain and still fumbling for memories of everything, I didn't know how to react? Walking into the bedroom Keith used earlier, I laid down on the bed and shut my eyes.

It can't be him.. He died! Didn't he? Mongrel could have brought him back...So many unanswered questions, I needed sleep. It couldn't have been Joseph, he wouldn't have ran off like that.

My mind firmly made up, or wishing it was firmly made up, I lay there, hoping for some sleep or at least a few minutes to gather my emotions.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He could hear her. He stood, roving closer, keeping the cabin at the edges of his senses. A part of him wanted to go to them. But he ignored it. He couldn't face them.

He moved in closer to watch over them, using his lifetimes of experience to hide from them. He followed Aria's scent to a room, and sat, leaning against the outside wall. His senses ranged, watching over the area. His hand moved into a pocket, and touched at the few things he had there. Remnants of a life he'd lost.

He was dead. And yet he walked among the living. Perhaps this is what it was to be undead?

 

[Sweetp4u]

Ab

Her eyes went to Kat and then to Ray who held her.

"What is going on around here? And who the hell is Joseph?" She asked, stunned by this weird behavior. She had never seen anything of the like before. They all acted so strangely. What had she gotten herself into?

Kat appeared upset, upset because she was upset? What? Shaking her head, her eyes turned towards Keith. "Do you understand any of this?" That little speech Aria gave made little sense, and just when she was going to ask the good questions, Aria up and runs off.

Groaning out loud with frustration, she stands up and glances around at everyone yet again. "I would like some answers,... well some that make some sense at least."

Silence.

"Anyone?" She felt like she was a child here and there for not worthy of knowing dick.. It was annoying her. "Christian? Ray?" The names were filed in her head now, she at least knew who was who, but what of the rest? Who was Mongrel? Where was this Lance fellow now? She snorted is disbelief, who ever heard of a vampire who could not die? She was losing her evasiveness with her confusion. She felt she needed to know every little detail before setting foot out that door.. But the way it came across was that even here they were not safe.

"What I do not understand is that if she lost her son and her husband, and all those other people she named off.. Suffered through all this weird shit coming down on her head, why in the world are we still here?" She did not get it, it made no sense. Why not save their own asses and leave? Obviously this man couldn't be stopped, so why not live where the livin's good? Odd group she fell into, very odd.

"I need something substanial on my stomach.. Anyone wish to accompany me?" She ignored the human, knowing he would not do for a snack, but she did not consume anything other than blood.. She never tried to before, nor wanted to. She stayed stronger being natural and true to herself. Sickening as it was, it was how things were meant to be.

Perhaps that is what all this was about? Something that was meant to be, the course of things? Since Aria was off in the room doing who knows what, and obviously NOT helping their situation, she may as well feed.

 

[nightray]

Ray

I look in to Kat’s eyes as I think of the answer to her questions. “Sister you did turn from him in a way you chouse Lance over him. Just like Aria chose Joseph over me.” I say in her mind not wanting the others to hear it knowing that if Kat wanted to talk to them about it she would.

I pole Kat to me my hands moving over her back comforting her as I look up at AB. I frown at her questions. “I’m sorry this all must seem odd to one like you a longer.” I smile sadly “I was once like you no family no one to reliy on.” I shrug then I kiss the top off Kat’s head. “That is until I met Kat here. You see we put are selves endanger because we are family and we know that mongrel will not let use be once he has the power of the book he’ll ether enslave use all or kill use.” I shrug as I stand up beginning to pace as the thought of Joseph still being alive runs threw my head.

I look at AB as she asks who wants to feed. I frown as I look at every one. “Ok AB I’ll go it’s not safe to go alone.” I frown as I look at the door that Aria is behind. I growl indication raking me. “I got to protect the family thou.” I look down at Kat and sigh. “Ok Kat stay and watch Aria she needs family now.” I look at Christian looking him over carefully as if really looking at him for the first time. “Come with me and AB Christian. Sins Joseph is out there it should be fine for you to come as well Aria will call for me if she needs use.”

I close my eyes sending a gentile touch to Aria. “AB wants to go hunt I’m going with her to keep her out of trouble Christian may com to I’m not sheer. You know how to call me if you need me.” My mental voice courses her mind trying to comfort her as much as possible.

I look at AB a slight smirk on my lips “Ok let’s go hunt.”

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Rising from the bed, I knew what had to be done. I had to get things in order myself until Lance could be found. That meant two things.

Opening the door and reentering the main room I scanned everyone's eyes before speaking. "We have to go to France to see someone." Either they would go along or they would remain here, but the final ring bearer was needed as well as insight to that page's location.

"I have to speak with the old witch Ray. You remember her? We need the final ring bearer located and we need some insight on where the missing page is before Mongrel finds it. Lance hasn't made it back yet, not sure where he is now, but until then we have to keep moving and get things ready." I stopped talking long enough to run my fingers over my temple a few times. I still had holes in my memory, I needed to either forget it or remember, not dwell over lost things.

"We can do nothing here, we're too greatly out numbered if we move to strike Mongrel now. And I can't recall the last time any of us were battle ready?" I scanned the group, knowing they were ready, I wasn't. I hadn't done much of anything in two years but sit around and pretend. Mongrel's little play toy or trophy. Which ever it was, I was wasn't sure of exactly.

Attacking Mongrel now wouldn't accomplish much would it? I did not think it would, we needed the final ring bearer. He had the book and the knowledge, we needed to be stronger. Much stronger.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Joseph shook his head, and gripped the hilt , his thumb pressing against the guard, and pushing. It turned around in a counter-clockwise manner ninety degrees, with a faint clicking sound as it stopped. A small sound came from the bottom of the sheath, and he turned the guard back before resting his hand on the hilt.

He had unlocked a scret to his sword, HeartSeeker, one that had taken centuries after he had acquired the blade for him to learn. He sighed. They were planning to move again, eh? Well, it would probably be for the best, although it would be difficult to shadow them for such a trip.

He decided it would probably be best to tag along within them for the moment, and made his way to the front of the house, leaning against the wall next to the front door and waiting for them.


They simply refused to make things easy on him.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

I look up at Ray and having pulled myself together nod silently. Turning to A.B it is on the tip of my tongue to offer to begin her training when ARia comes out of the bedroom breaking the silence with her epiphany. Standing straight to my full height I walk over to Ray and place a hand on his arm gently then turn back to Aria. "You are right, we need to get some things settled and we are not yet ready for what is ahead." I look over at A.B and Christian smiling softly, "I could use something substantial myself as I'm sure we all could.....it will fill our bodies and perhaps help us all to clear our heads a bit before the journey ahead." Turning I walk over to Aria whispering in a soft brogue "Any questions you have I think you can perhaps have answered by the man standing outside the door." I look towards the front door a sadness in my eyes then turn back to Ray seeing his obvious worry at my distress I give him a smile that excludes all others in the room, "What do you think??........Shall we change from our travel clothes and go out for a drink?" My smile turns seductive and I watch to see Rays reaction as well as the others to my thoughts.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

Too much was happening too fast. I was learning too easily to trust, having followed Ray to the window without question had made that clear to me, brought it to my conscious mind, and I was getting uneasy with the concept of merely accepting what these vampires were telling me.
And now, another was entering the equation.
Joseph?
Aria goes outside, screams his name, then returns and leaves the room.
What now?
Too much happening too fast. THe woman who was supposed to have the answers? She seemed to have more puzzling questions, not about what was going on, but about who she was altogether.
As she enters the room again, before I decide whether or not to accompany A.B. and Ray in their hunt, I wonder what new drama would be brought to light then.
We were leaving? Going to France to meet the Old Witch?
A shiver crept up my spine as she was mentioned, and I thought perhaps that I had finally found something about this that was familiar beyond the past couple days time.
I wanted answers though, and it hurt more than helped when Kat offered answers to Aria instead. The woman who was to guide us, to give us the answers we needed, was in search of too many of her own answers, and this new comer, what questions would he bring.
Without thinking, I stepped between the door and those in the room, not trying to physically stop anyone from going to it, but wanting my presence to be acknowledged.
Eyeing those in the room before me, I realized that I still held my spear and lowered its point, turning it to use it as though it were a walking stick. I wasn't afraid of them, which was most likely a miscalculation on my part, given my certainty that they were trained well, and that they outnumbered me both. But I didnot want a confrontation with them, any one of them, or all of them together. Not when part of me did believe that the rings were binding us each together.
I wanted to see this out, but what use was I when each passing second brought me further from knowing what I needed to know.
"No," I said, simply. "Not yet. We're not going yet. Something has to be explained here, before I can go any further. I realize that we're all lost in this, our behaviors are making that horribly obvious, but something has to give. Lance is dead? And we need him. So where do we find him? Who is outside, and what does he mean to all of this?"
I felt a s though I was imposing on thier past, but too much had gone by unexplained, and I'd been silent about it long enough. Answers had become far too rare, and questions too common.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Looking up at Christian I void my face of all expression and return my voice to one of quiet authority, "Joseph is the man standing outside, he was at one time and will always be the families bodyguard." I straighten to my full height flinging my hair over my shoulder and walk closer to Christian standing so that the conversation is more one on one but so the others can still here. I send out calming waves of energy and continue with my answers. "When the family was first formed there was not only an heirarchy but certain positions that we all had. Joseph was a Kaled'a'in.....a body guard. Ray was also but in a different light, he was introduced to them by me and had some interesting talents but because he and Joseph hit it off right away they did just about everything together. Aria also became family when she was turned, but by then so much had happened that the old ways had pretty much been lost and instead of the traditional clans we had an actual family. " I turn from looking at each of the others then look at christian a softness about my eyes, "I was never actually Family......I am what you might call a loner." Turning slightly I look to Ray for support "I am to my knowledge the last pureblood alive but only due to my power....Joseph and I had met decades before he came to the family and I knew he eneded them as much as they him some personal things have happened in between but what it all comes down to is for some reason these rings have decided to connect us all and I for one have never taken lightly to being guided by some unknown destiny." I sigh deeply slight anger building in me for all that has been loved and lost, "There seems little any of us can do about it though except to emotionally and physically arm and armor ourselves for the parts we DO know." I trn to Ray and Aria asking with my eyes to help witht his explanation as I lean on the doorway suddenly exhausted.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Joseph sighed, and turned his head towards the door. He shook his head, and continued to rest against the outside of the house. He reached into his cloak, searching through his pockets. He sighed again. He didn'thave any. Not that he was surprised. It was a habit he hadn't indulged in for several years.

So, he simply kept his senses alert. He decided it would be best to not let himself get dragged in any more. Stay seperate, protect them. He touched his own scarred and twisted face. How long had it been since that had happened? How much had the druids tried to help him? And still, his flesh remained twisted.

He had to watch over them. They were his Family. And after this, when he knew they were safe, then he could rest.

 

[poohlive]

Keith stood up, going over to one of the old cabinets inside the house. The drawers were for the most part empty, filled with only remnants of clothing that people had left, and small knick knacks which from one way or another found their homes here between the mothballs and dustbunnies.
One object gleamed against the kitchen lights as he opened the drawer. The cold steel felt good against his skin as he took it out and fitted it just on the inside of his belt. As an old cop, he felt that surge of power and protection as soon as the gun pressed against him from it's spot. He felt himself again.
"If he's protecting us, then why is he outside? If he's part of the family, why is he the only one I haven't met yet? Everyone here has been so upfront an honest. You all act like you are all family, at least most of you do. This guy is just sitting outside listening to us and watching out for us? That is no family I have ever heard..."
The gun added to his words, making his voice steady and even. His eyes burrowed into the door outside, where not too far away a man was just standing and watching. Old police thoughts still fresh in his mind began to rummage once more to the surface. Thoughts of child molesters who waited for hours standing outside of the house waiting for just the right time to strike. Cold hearted killers who be following a man for days, and then kill him without a second thought.
"I don't trust him," He didn't have anything much to do on from this, just something his gut told him. A part of that old instinct still fresh in his blood, unable to let this unusual ciscumstance go.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

Joseph pushed himself up, and turned, opening the door and stepping inside, closing the door carefully behind him. He stepped around the rest of them, ignoring them, until he stood before the man. Humans,.....

"You want to know why I stayed outside, then? Well, here, I'll show you."

He reached up, pulling away his hat, staring with sightless eyes in the man's direction. His face was scarred, the burns twisted his appearance. Half his hair had been burned away, showing flesh twisted from what had been done to him.

"Now, unless you can tell me, little man, that you would want your family to look at you if you looked the way I do, I suggest you desist from muttering behind my back. Because I can hear you, human. And unlike my 'old friend' Vladamir, I won't hide what I could do to your frail human body from you."

He replaced his hat, turned, and found his way to a nearby seat, groping along before lowering himself down and ranging his senses out again.

 

[poohlive]

Keith held his stomach in check. He had seen worse in his day, but now walking and talking around like some helf dememnted corpse refusing to believe it was dead. The thing... he didn't know if he should call it anything more than that, because it did look like nothing more than a thing, showed him quite resiliance.

"You hide because of your looks? Do not tell me that apart from immortality, vampires are also vain? Vladimir would never care how he looked, and he's twice the vampire you could be. Don't talk about who he is to me, I know who he is. He showed me, told me about all of this. While he showed me answers I had been seeking all my life, you hide in the shadows like a common theif. Don't talk to me about Vladimir. He was the one who treated me with respect. You don't even treat your family with respect. How would I expect you to be any different to me?"

Keith leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest. At this point his entire skin began to pulse a deep red. He didn't want to pick a fight at this moment, but a lot of things were confusing him now, and this guy rubbed him the wrong way. He almost wanted to stop and apologize for his actions, how rash he was, and how he took out everything for no real reason on him, but the thing wanted the truth.

The presence of Vladimir didn't help the situation any either. Keith had looked up to his first vampire, the teacher of this world, and the fact that this man just walks in an speaks so openly... as if it were Keith that didn't belong here, and he did. The nerve of him. Just one minute with this thing, and the sickest thing about him wasn't his face, but his ego. Keith kept that to himself though. It wouldn't be productive to start a fight with a vampire, even one as old and as devastating as him. They had things to do.

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

STanding away from the doorway I tower to my full height and walk to the middle of the room standing between where keith is and Joseph sits. Turning to the human I look at him through new eyes, "It would be wise for you to wait for the answers to your questions before you speak." MY eyes begin to brighten to a vibrant green, startling the human slightly...."Especially since you know so little about the people you are with now, or what we have seen and been through." Turning with the same indignant fire I look on what is left of my former lover, "And you Joseph......", I do not flinch as my eyes meet what is left of his face and I walk over to him allowing my scent to fill his nostrils, "You of all people should understand that sometimes those not of our kind require more patience..........Remember that you and I were once as they are now.....Ignorance bred our hate and only understanding will cure it in this generation." I look back to Keith again a slight glow to my eyes and a small snarl to my lips, "Respect is something everyone in this room has earned on some level, and is given appropriately by each member of this family....." Walking over to him i place a hand on his shoulder and gently squeeze not enough to be painful but in a comforting way that leaves no doubts to the power in me, "You would do well to remember that, do not make comparisons you have no way of proving." I smile slightly looking to ray "Word of mouth is not always acurate."

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian

It appeared my interference was mistimed. The human, and now this odd wounded creture, were getting too overinvolved in thier differences. Looking on the new arrival, I wondered which of the two I had more in common with and couldn't decide.
I glanced to A.B. instead, then decided to put whatever questions were yet unanswered at bay...for then, at least.
"Perhaps we should feed, or should we leave right away, Aria?" I asked, hoping to shift some of the attention away from other thoughts.

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He grunted.

"Vanity, human? I've seen people burned at the stake who came out looking better than I do. Forgive me if I decide I do not want my wife to look upon me when I appear as a walking corpse. I'd hate to think that would make me vain. And Vladamir, who as you says cares not about his appearance, let's talk about him. Do you know that he's working for Mongrel now? A man out to rule the world, and Vladamir would kill any or all of us if it would make him the master's favorite lapdog. And I seriously doubt that he told you 'everything'. Did he tell you that he has vampire connections all over the world, and that he was, up until Mongrel got closer than he was, planning on taking over the world?"

He sat back. "And immortality breeds vanity. Being forever young,..." He sighed. "And as for respecting my family, how could you even comprehend how I feel about them? I have been watching over them, and that is the greatest show of respect that I could give them. That I would care enough to stand watch over them, to seperate myself from them an meet any threat alone, to protect them from dangers to such a degree that they would not even know they were in danger. And I am not, as you would put it, a 'common theif'. I chose the shadows because it is there that I can be ready to strike whilst you are snug in bed, dreaming that you would have any clue as to what's going on."

"I have lived lifetimes, human. While you live for a manner of decades, centuries pass with hardly a notice from me. Don't tell me about respect, and especially don't talk about Vladamir to me. I have know that snake of a man for more years than your mind could comprehend living."

He stood up. "And you think that because he let you in on the fact that vampires are real, and maybe told you a few tidbits, that he was treating you with respect? He used you. If you had died, he could care less. And yet I care enough about my family to not burden them with worry about myself, or the fact that these wounds I have are not healing properly, to look over them and watch their backs while they hang around near a man so comfortable in his control of the situation that he does not bother to look for them. And I even respect you enough not to feed on you, although I thirst for blood and my hunger eats away at me. I can hear your heart beat, you know. I can almost taste the sweet lifeblood that flows through your veins. And yet, I sit here and humor your human ego that deserve even a moment of my time."

 

[poohlive]

Keith's face grew red hot, he could just imagine blood rushing to his face, turning it beat red against this family. They were a family, Keith winced as he watched the female vampire go into her speech to defend him.
They were a family, that was a blunt fact sprawled against him. He threatened one of them, and the rest tore him down, and his accusations. He understood, they were a family, and he was the outsider, unable to comprehend their stupid little rules and culture that they accuse him of not knowing.
They wanted to treat him like this, that was fine. He didn't care about it, any of it. He was here to help, and nothing else. If they didn't accept him, he would do this on his own. He did it once before. He took on groups of vampires at a time, without the help of a so called family, and if need be, he could do it again.
"Watching?" He eyed the man in front of him, one that could easily snap his neck in two, "You are a protector, huh? Then why was it that Mongrel had Aria trapped in that cage? He had vampires down there hurting her, raping her. I stopped them, but you - the great protector, yalling at me for not understanding- were somehow missing from that battle? If that's protection, then leave me out of it. I want nothing to do with you, or your family."
He didn't address the part about Vladimir, that part where somehow deep inside he knew it to be at least half true. No one was what they seemed, and on some level, a leve that still spoke of cops and criminals, he knew of Vladimir's true skin. That didn't make any difference though. He looked up to the man, who gave him more respect and dignity as a human, than this snivelling vampire did to even his own wife. Keith would keep that part of Vladimir with him, and overlook the rest. It was better that way, it kept something decent and whole inside him. He grabbed onto it like a drowning man would to a life preserver.
"If this is how it's going to be, no explanations and everyone getting down on me for stating my own opinions, than I'll just go. If I'm not treated as equal here, I'll find a group of people that will."

 

[The GrandMage]

Joseph

He stood up quietly, and turned his head, pointing it towards the man. "And what do you think I've been treating you as? I've been talking to you, telling you everything I feel and think. I could have stayed outside, and let you worry about whether I'd slip in at the middle of the night. You want to be treated equally, you have to take the bad with the good. You have to take being shot down and told you're stupid as well as being thanked and feeling like part of the group."

"Which reminds me..." He turned towards the others. "You're all sloppy. No good clearing checks, you're too quick to settle in, and far too willing to stop by somewhere nearby, even if it is out of the way. And by yourselves? Really now, Ray and Cat, you two should know better. Who's the best at raising alarms when odd things happen, humans. Where are there enough smells to drown out your scent and enough holes to hide in? Cities, large cities. And I don't mean the good side of town, either. And here you are, out where a human scent would stand out like a sore thumb, much less a vampire, moving right inside as if you just stopped by for tea. Sloppy, sloppy, and sloppy. And you didn't even bother sending someone out to patrol teh surrounding area. Are you so confident that Mongrel won't find you? Or are you just all fucking stupid?"

He turned back to the man. "There, see, you are part of the group. A group of idiots who think they can save the world from a ruthless killer by leaving enough clues so that even someone only three times your age could keep tabs on them their whole lives. They rely solely on Mongrel's ego keeping them safe by him thinking them no danger. And yet, they're the only ones who can stop him? They act like that knowledge is some big secret just because it's old and obscure enough that they never heard of it. So surely Mongrel, a man who's set his whole life on pulling this off, won't have a clue, right?"

He stepped close to the man. "Oh, and by the way, thank you. But if you ever decide to remind me how I couldn't protect my wife again, I will rip out your heart and show it to you." He turned away, and left the room, opening the door and slamming it violently before storming off outside.

It hurt to know things had been done to her. If he'd only known she was alive,.... He sat down, letting his senses roam. He didn't want to deal with them. He didn't want that man's anger, or his hate. He had enough of that for himself. He was anger at himself for not being there, he hated himself for not protecting her. But he didn't need a human, who had not even begun to feel the pain he had lived through, to voice that anger or that hate.

He didn't know the depths of hate or anger yet. He was only human.

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

It was getting to tense in here for her, and the longer these people stayed in the same room with one another, the worse it seemed to get. But one thing she did know, if Cat and Aria said they weren't ready, she wasn't going to argue....not yet anyway.

Christian looked a little upset as well, confused maybe? His thoughts had to mimic her own, nothing was making much sense. She stayed back as the cop and cat spoke, accusations flung, Aria looked a little paler by the minute. Moving back a little out of the way, the door opening and this stranger walking in wasn't a surprise, but when he removed his hat she felt a deep pity rise in her for him.

Mongrel did that to him? Or did someone else? The mocking tones and more arguing only made her want to leave more, she wasn't used to this at all, it made her a little edgy as well. Christian gave her a little glance and she nodded in agreement. Feed and go where they needed to go. The stranger moved back outside after setting the cop in his place, or trying to and all paused almost.

Not wanting to be the one to start up any more conversation, she waited.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

The shock of seeing Joseph like that quickly wore off when he opened his mouth and started issuing sarcastick remarks and insults. That was Joseph.

Still I could think of nothing to say, nor even react. I sat there listening and said nothing, I made no move to follow him out of the house either. Things were tense and they were all uneasy in this. How could I ease this? What could I tell them for certain that would calm their fears, tempers and help them to understand? That wasn't my part in this, that was Lance's, and of course he wasn't here.. I had.. I didn't want to think about it, nor all the blood still most likely decorating that cell floor. What was done was done.

Again this family was back to normal, too many dominate personalities in one location. I smirked a little, a semi-smile.. Sometimes those were good things, something familiar to me and them.

"Keith, I owe you my life.." I glanced up at the man, "But somethings with century old vampires is not explainable. Call it eccentric, or whatever, some are set in stone in their behavior. You are safe here because I gave my word... Out of respect as Kat had spoke of before, the others will abide by it." I didn't know what else to tell him? Tip-toe around Joseph? That wouldn't do anything but cause more problems!

"Vladamir is as Joseph said he is. A natural born vampire with more money than a blonde should have... He is deadly and dangerous." I glanced again up at Keith, "And he would kill you in a heart beat if he needed a body shield. Do not trust him... you can barely trust us I know.. He is out for himself." Sighing heavily, I ran my finger tips over my temple a moment.

"We need to go see the old witch for a purpose, the final ring bearer as I said.. And hopefully get insight to where Lance was returned. We need them both to succeed. We could storm the 'castle' right now and see what we could do damage wise, but we take a chance of losing another ring bearer and having to locate two or more to finish this. That is my logic in leaving, but as always I am open for suggestions." I didn't let the pain show in my eyes, I didn't give in to the urge and go after Joseph.. I had something to do and it was bigger than him and I, this was for everyone's survival.. My personal life had to wait and I was certain Joseph needed time to cool off as well. My eyes went to the door, knowing he was out there and hurting.. I wondered briefly how angry he was over Micheal? I knew he was, it was just a matter of time before he confronted me about it?

Shaking myself a little, I got my mind back on track and paid attention to those in the room.