Curse of the Fallen Quest: Ring Bearer's Trilogy

[VandalHeart]

Gumo looked back and forth between Aria and Lance in the impending silence. It was like listening to two teenagers who had just broken up and been locked in a room together until they "worked it out." He finally decided on Aria.
"If you're done making juvenile accusations as to personality conflicts and self-esteem issues, you might want to consider the possibility that Lance may have a point. I am in the same position that you are, in that I have no clue as to your past. You might want to stick around for a moment and consider a few things before just walking off and living what he hints at being a pointless and short life." He waited for a moment for that to sink in, then turned to Lance.
"You may have a point, but...well...you aren't exactly a people person are you? If you're trying to further cooperation in the spirit of your so-called 'promise', your failing, whereas, if you're trying to piss her off, bravo yourself."
He moved past Aria and started down the steps.
"As for me, I have heard great things about the legend that is New Orleanian cuisine. I intend to go find some, and if you two would care to stop bickering without knocking each other out, I would be happy to pay for your plates as well."
And with that, Gumo began to walk away, always the seemingly unaffected Daimyo. With his hands clasped together behind his back he walked with the vigor of a man truly alive and exploring this new city with the eyes of a wise innocent.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He nodded. "I can teach you many things. I can teach you to hunt, selectively and intelligently. But right now, I must teach you the first basic rule of hunting vampires,....Always expect to die. This is a trap, walk into it. Head towards the obvious death. They, who live so long, but are also mortal, are always surprised. If it isn't a trap, they admire your courage. If it is, you have the upper hand of being in the one spot they never thought you'd go willingly, which places doubt in them. Doubt cause hesitation. Hesitation is death."

He nodded, and moveed the plane down. Several minutes later they were on the ground after a good landing, if a bit rough. Vladamir climbed in the back, packing weapons into his pack, strapping on the swords and checking weapons.

"Any preferecnes you have to what you want? You want to be well armed. There is no overkill with vampires,...."

 

[Firegirl976]

Kat

Finishing the strawberries I pop the last one in my mouth licking the juice off my lips and stand up stretching in an unknowingly seductive way and yawn slightly. I grin down at Ray as the thought that I need some rest runs through my head. I walk to the window and look out over the city a million thoughts racing through my head but the need to feed and/or rest is the strongest. I stretch again, shivering slightly at the pop of bone and stretch of sinewy muscle beneath my skin. Without turning around I lower my head in thought. "I am tired, and it has been a long time since I fed." I glance over my shoulder but don't turn around knowing he sensed a change in me and knowing if I didn't feed soon my bodies need would take over and I would seduce him, an easy target as my new needs would call to his darker side easily. "I need to get settled into my apartment and change for a hunt...." I get myself together enough to turn around the desire obvious in my eyes and the excitement of the hunt pulsing from my body, "Will you join me Ashke', I dinnae enjoy being alone as you kn ow and would appriciate both your company and your opinion on my new outfit for this evening." That said a wicked smile comes to my lips and I wink at him knowingly.

 

[poohlive]

Keith


Walking to the small back of the plane, he saw how far this obsession went. Hundreds of weapons all displayed out in a kind of prideful array met him. Everything from common knives to black market trinkets he had only seen on police training videos. Half of it was illegal, and for good reason.
A man could take on an entire army with this shit strapped to his back.
Keith didn't have any proficiency with any of it. The gun under his belt didn't feel so important now, didn't keep the shadows away from the corners of his mind, clawing at the courage that now dwindled.
"I don't know anything about swords. Probably hurt myself more than any vampire. Maybe a dagger just in case, and some more guns. I know I can take out whatever comes across my sight."
He felt like a child, holding onto this man's hand as he showed him down this unknown road of hope and sin. It was the truth, something he wanted to know. Now, he was not so sure.
Yet ignorance is bliss, like he had been told so many times before. Once you open pandora's box, you have to look inside. It's a prerequisite.
Keith loaded himself up, feeling a bit better with all of the hardware to protect him.

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"Can anyone by that gullible?" I smirked a little as I shook my head. Oh yeah! Hang out with the very one who wants me dead I know about!

"Someone feed that guy a clue." I mumbled as I stood up and grabbed my bag. I had no intention of sticking around with these two, not enough money in the world could convince me to trust them.

Giving Lance no attention what so ever I stepped off the plane and moved down the stairs. Stopping at the bottom I hunted for my wallet of cash. I needed to call a taxi and get to a hotel, sleep would be great right about now.

Glancing at my hands, I could still feel and see their shaking. Making a fist, I clenched it tightly to control the anger inside, as well as the pain. Lance was more than a vampire, he was a cold hearted soul as well.

Shaking my head yet again, I reached around and couldn't find it. Setting the bag down, I knelt down on the ground and continued my hunt. Locating it finally, I quickly got up and began walking away. Freedom! It's all I wanted at the moment.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He grunted, pointing to the two swords on his back, the only two there were. "These aren't for rookies. One's mine, the other my friends. It longs to taste the blood of vengence."

He helped outfit the man, showing him the best place to put certain weapons. He locked up the plane, and nodded. "Let's move out. Best not to get a car, they like to make an example of them. Flashy bastards. Okay, what's the address, navigator. We got a little huntin' to do."

 

[poohlive]

"No, don't." Lance limped down the steps, watching as Aria walked off. He wanted to stop her, maybe slap her, maybe kiss her, do something that would knock that half trance away from her eyes she used to tune out the truth of the world, and go her own way.
It could be so intimidating sometimes.
And she was so cute when she was angry, crinkling her nose so. He laughed, looking at his new friend.
"Don't try to stop her. She just can't trust anyone. Mongrel, me, even you. Aria never could trust anyone. Always an arm's length away from anything close or intimate. The only thing she can trust is herself, and now that she's lost even that, she thinks she has nothing."
The taxi leaving, a part of himself cried out to her. The part that was still her, mind and memories, swimming inside, wanting to keep her close, but even those were unsure.
"She'll go find whatever she needs to, and then make her own choice. I hope it's the right one though. We can't do it without her."
He gave the man a bit of a smile, finally ready for a proper introduction. Reaching his hand out to shake, "Lance. Very happy to meet you. Gumo, you said it was? I think some cuisine would be just fine. We can talk, and maybe I can fill you in a little bit about all of this."
He asked for the man's help walking. Slow and steady pace, but the strength had still left him, and right now food did sound good.
"I'll have to apologize for a bit of my own roughness. I've been around a long time... a long long time. And when it comes to the rings, sometimes I just lose patience. I'm also not the most subtle person in the world. I can admit that. I thought maybe if I pushed her she would push back... but..."
Again, running off into the night. The wind at her back, and nothing but hope running to catch up.

 

[poohlive]

Keith

The briefcase had been left in the plane, disregarded of its information for now. All but a few pages and the address. He took it out now, reading from it.
"I don't know anything about this country, or it's place. It sounds like a big place, something out of the way, in the country maybe. A private drive, usually means that. Although, this is Australia talking, not Belgium."
He didn't like the idea of not using a car. With a car they could have some sort of getaway. He liked the idea of going in balls to the wall, but that police officer part of him wanted a contingency plan, a backout of some sort. Everything went to hell, they could drop into the car and make their way out of there.
All out category. They would go in screaming and showing off their guns, no back up, no secondary thought. This was automatic pilot. He felt like a man about all of this. Running in and showing just how big your tackle was. This was so savage. It scared the hell out of him, but that just added to the whole rush, which he used as fuel to stop from screaming like a little girl.
"There we go. Perhaps we should ask someone who knows the area?"

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo stopped when Lance told him about Aria's situation. Gumo nodded, keeping silent, but internally cutting his losses. That's really all he ever did when someone proved unreliable. Just quit trying to reason with them and move on. Kill them if they get in your way, but be careful you do not confuse an obstacle with a reconciling ally. Aria and Lance thought each other cold...the very idea almost made Gumo chuckle.
"She is dead. Without knowledge or consent, she has taken a left hand path. She must walk it or die permanently. Fate will run it's course; I don't think we should bother trying to avert it. If she finds us again, so be it, but let's not waste our time."
Lance extended his hand for a hand shake and introduction. Gumo being wiser and less superstitious than the rest of his kind, took Lance's hand and shook, nodding, "yes, Gumo. You can call me Spider if you wish, that is what it means. So...dinner." With that they walked to a bathroom where Gumo insisted that Lance change clothes so as to not draw too much attention. After he was changed, they walked to the front of the terminal of LAX.
Gumo's attendants had already rented a Caddilac that pulled in front of them right about then. Gumo opened the door for Lance and they climbed in. As the car started moving, Gumo told them to find a descent restaurant and Lance made his apology.
"Manipulation can be hard with someone so drastically changed. In that kind of situation, knowing who they used to be is a bit of a detriment in and of itself. As for your lack of subtlety, that can be a good thing on occasion, so with your roughness and my subtlety, perhaps we can get a bit further than alone."
After the driver complaining that the architects of the New Orleans' road systems were on acid and staring at a plate of spaghetti for half an hour, they pulled into a nice French cuisine restaurant. Gumo helped Lance inside and they sat down to eat.
"So what can you tell me about these rings?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

ooc: please stop controlling her movements, she was not leaving alone!

IC:

Pausing at the doors inside, I handed over my bag and stepped through the machine. Picking up my things, I moved towards the counter.

"Hi, Can I get a rental by chance? One big enough for three." The lady searched her machine and only had a few little cars available.

"Oh ok, never mind then." Turning back, I glanced around for Gumo and Lance. Now where the hell did they go? I hadn't seen them come in behind me?

Walking briskly outside, I caught sight of them getting into a car and driving off. Jumping into a taxi I barked at him to follow the car ahead.

"Always in a freakin' hurry!" Needing answers and not in the mood to deal with this shit, I knew they headed to eat without waiting.

The car pulled over and I paid the Taxi driver, "Thanks." Jumping out I walked in behind them and tapped Gumo on the shoulder, "Did you forget someone in your hurry to feed?" I smirked a little, cocking my brow as I waited for a reason they just bailed out on me. Reguardless of being rude to each other or not, we had something to solve and Lance had answers I needed out of his stubborn hide.

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

She walked huddled into her coat, although it was neither cold nor windy. Hiding herself from people as best she could, she moved along quickly. She needed to feed and would not resort to pretending to be human. No, she would feed on blood as was her intention and purpose.

She eyed several people along the way. Too rich, too poor, to filthy and too old. Always a reason, she was picky in what she took, usually she would use her power of persuasion to land her a really beautiful man but walk away at the last minute. She was still torn between hating people and caring for them.

A fight had been in the area recently, she could smell the blood. It only made her hunger pains worsen and her eyes flash brightly with need. She had to feed reguardless of what she wanted. She paused in a dark corner, watching a bum stagger up the street towards her. But something else caught her attention, something she felt.

Turning, she glanced over head and around the alley, looking for signs of someone around. Seeing no one, she knew it was another vampire. Were they hunting here as well? Or was she being watched? Tensing, she quickly ducked out of the dark corner and began moving quicker along, searching for food but always mindful of the shadow trailing her.

What would she do? Turn and attack or flee? Worried that someone would see her, she would have to flee for safety. Pausing briefly, she chose north instead of east and moved along. Scaling a wall, she halted as she eyed the graveyard.

Perfect.

She could hide in here and possibly find a meal. And if whom ever was lurking around showed themselves, she wouldn't be seen as well in the unlit graveyard.

She moved quietly along, listening and at the same time afraid she was still trapped.

ooc: opening for anyone to interact if they choose to.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo turned around and saw Aria.
"Did you forget someone...?"
Gumo felt a bit sheepish, but he hadn't gone this entire time learning to mask his expression to drop it in front of a stranger.
"I'm sorry, we thought you were just ready to get away from us. Apparently we did. Won't you join us?"

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

Nodding my head, I followed the two to a table and sat down. Ordering quickly, I rested my chin on my palm and watched the two of them a moment.

"Well, whats this ring about? I assume since i have one.. I have had one for awhile?" I glanced from Gumo to Lance, hoping someone could answer the question for me in better detail than before.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He nodded.

"I know the area a bit. It's changed since I was here last, but we'll manage. Just follow me, and don't do anything unless I say so, got it? You can't just go in guns a blazin'. You have to watch them. It's a carefully crafted game of chess. You moze the wrong way, and they can play you all the way to checkmate. Let's move."

TIME SHIFT

Near half an hour later, they started towards the impressive location on the address. He nodded to the man. "Watch yourself, but not a shot unless I say so."

He turned, and knocked on the door.

It was time to meet the mystery host.

 

[nightray]

Ray

I look at Kat a small smirk on my lips I had already eaten but I could always eat agene. I nod slightly an evil little grin coming over my lips. “Let’s go hunt some unsuspecting humans.” I wink as I put my feet up on my calfy table. “Go change I’ll wait for ya.” I say softly the lights in my eyes diapering briefly as the darkness washes over them.

I put my hand over my head stretching the popping sounds of my spine cracking echoing hers. I smirk as I put my hands down. I smirk as she walks around the couch her ass swaying in a very alluring way. If I didn’t know better I would swear she was trying to sadus me.

My eye’s move back to the window as she disappears in to her bedroom to change.

 

[VandalHeart]

Gumo looked at Lance to show Aria that he was just as in the dark as she was. In a moment all four eyes were on him alone.

 

[poohlive]

Hee hee, your words not mine.
("I had no intention of sticking around with these two, not enough money in the world could convince me to trust them..."
"I needed to call a taxi and get to a hotel, sleep would be great right about now..."
"I quickly got up and began walking away. Freedom! It's all I wanted at the moment...")
I didn't do anything you didn't specifically state you were going to do from the actions above.



"Yes, indeed. Bring me the house special. Thank you, extra spices if you could."
He smiled at the waittress, getting a drink of water as he looked at Gumo's ring.
"Mind if I see it?" He took a closer look, "Ahhh, yes. Cunning. That would be yours. It's a ring of wily ability. Able to think on your feet, make decisions like that, "He snapped his fingers.
"A sort of inteligence, an innate inteligence, if you believe in that sort of thing. Let me guess, after you found out about the ring, you wanted to leave, go search it out, and it brought you right here? Didn't it? That's cunning."
Isn't it ironic, just a little, don't you think?
"The story of the rings comes from about a thousand years ago. About the time I was just a younging, only 70 or 80 years old. A book was created, a book of magic, that was dispelled with a sort of lock. This lock didn't use a key, instead it used five rings. Each of these rings needed to be placed together in order for the book to work. Kinda like a combination lock. This was guarded very well so that a warlord with incredible power..."
he lowered his voice, mumbling something about power steering on his lousy car as the waittress came by to give them their drinks. He thanked her, watching her leave.
"This warlord wanted the book, and it was evident that he would stop at nothing to get it. That is when the rings came to power. They were in charge of going to an appropriate host, a person of excelled quality to help me in the destruction of the book, so that Mongrel, that's the warlord, could never get his hands on it. That was over a thousand years ago, and to this day I haven't gotten much closer than epening the book myself, that is, until the last time."
Fucked. All of them, fucked right up the ass, without any lube.
"Mongrel has the book now. All except for one page, but he wants this page. This page is more powerful than the entire book combined. So, you want the big picture, pile impossibilities upon impossibilities? We're supposed to find the other ring bearers, get the page, get the book away from Mongrel, run on over to the sacred tablet, and destroy it using all of the earthen elements that it took to create it."
He downed the rest of his water. For a moment, his throat had gone dry, and he needed something bring the saliva back into it. The ice cold water helped, just a bit.
"There you go. Hate to spoil you evening with all of this, but you wanted to know. Curiousity killed the cat, as they say, but satisfaction brought him back. More water, please, "he clinked the empty ice cubes in the glass.

 

[poohlive]

Mongrel picked up the phone on its second ring. An annoying voice met him, although he was being a bit biased. An annoying voice always met him on the telephone. No one ever spoke to him without wanting something or telling him something. All fucking little chit chat that pissed him off, sentence by sentence.
"Yes."
"Two people, sir. On the property. They passed through the main gate, and are coming up the driveway as we speak."
He flipped a switch, moving to one of the main outside monitors. On it he could see two people, both walking up towards the main house. He saw weapons, a sword? Oh, hunters maybe. The one matched what the description he had been given by the warehouse in Luxenburg, but the other one baffled him.
He hadn't heard of two people before.
"Send my volley of guards. Standard guys. Six. I want to see how good they are. If they're still alive, invite them into my parlor."
"Yes sir."
He set the dead phone back on its cradle, happy to be rid of the thing. On the monitor, he saw one knock on the door. The leader? He supposed so. The other one looked like he was about to shit his drawers, but this one was calm, confident...
and familiar.
Mongrel squinted, leaning forward for a better look. Indeed familiar.



Keith.

A sound of a jeep approached. It wasn't a jeep though, more like a six wheel moped. A suped up golf cart would be the best description Keith could give it. Something he had seen a few times in the outback, helped move a lot of things around a big farm.
Or a lot of people around a big mansion.
Several came out, each of them holding some kind of weapon. Some guns, some swords, if he wasn't mistaken one of them had some sort of battle axe of some kind. Who made those anymore?
"Step away from the house, if you would."
Keith's hand went behind him, grabbing at the cold steel of a gun, but he didn't bring it out. He waited, like he was told.
(don't make it too easy Gm)

 

[Sweetp4u]

Aria

"So.. Basicly you need some hard asses with rings to kick some butt?" Sitting back, I played with my pasta for a moment with the end of my fork. Eating was the last thing on my mind right now, I was curious about why he seemed to think I was unfit to wear this ring?

"What Ring am I wearing?" I held my hand out and met his gaze. It still seemed as if he wanted to say something, but was restraining himself. Or perhaps my presense annoyed him? Smiling, I had a feeling I would annoy him often, it sounded fun at the moment.

"And where is this page?" Drinking a little bit, I had something flash in my mind and startled a little. Setting the glass back down, I stared off into space trying to see what that had been.

Catching two pairs of eyes staring at me, I sat back and tried to pay attention to the conversation instead of my crazy mind.

 

[poohlive]

Lance took a nice cooling sip of water, letting it trickle down his throat in several swallows. The water did feel good, better, putting something in his stomach where there was nothing before.
"Yes," he lied, "I just need a bunch of bad asses with rings."
If that's how she took it, he wouldn't burst her bubble. She seemed happy with the definition, and he was a little too tired to go into another ranting with her. She had won.
The ring of courage," He said, without looking up, as his food came, and he smelled it with great preservence. Just the smell of spices made his eyes water, but it felt good just the same. Hot and spicy, something of a delicacy.
He took a small bite, chasing it with another drink of water.
"The page is somewhere safe. Forgive me if I don't say where. I've been around Mongrel long enough to know he can get answers out of the most... or least loyal ring bearer. He's not one to piss around when it comes to torture. The page is none of your concern for now. Don't jump to step three, when step one isn't done yet."
Sausage, oh, very hot. He rolled it around on his tongue, chewing as he did, little bites to take down the fire coal rolling around his mouth. Tiny explosions of flavor each time he did. A wonderful meal, just wonderful. He wiped away tears coming out with a napkin.
With his fork he dug in again.

 

[The GrandMage]

Lord Vladamir Trepes

He turned, taking appraisal. On,...two,...Six in all. Couple of swordsmen, they'd make the rush, an axe,...he took a second to look over the weapon. Nice craftsmanship. And that left four gunmen. He sidestepped, grabbing the cop, and turned, using himself to shield the man.

"Two rounds. Then find cover. After that, I want you to conserve ammo. Don't take a shot until it's open, always aim ahead of your target. Now."

He turned, pulling forth his sword in one hand and pulling free an assault rifle with the other, firing blindly into their midst to break up their little group.

Never fight a clump.

 

[VandalHeart]

It was amazing exactly how much westerners would fight with each other over the smallest of things, especially when something so obviously important was happening. Such a bother.
He quietly enjoyed his chicken friande, sipping his coffee with a solemn resignation. He didn't even realize that he was doung a green tea greeting ritual with his mug. Some things become second nature after a while.
"So, if my ring brought me to Aria, why isn't it exhibiting that hot pulling sensation again? I mean, I assume that since there are three more rings, there are three more ring bearers, right?"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Christian returns...

I heard her coming, but the sounds seemed distant. I was lost in my own little world, and had been for some time. In the old tree, the limbs so aged and past life that leaves no longer grew despite its remaining strength, I could see most of the cemetery on a fairly well lit night, when the moon was anything even close to half its full self.
The girl was moving among the graves nearby, and I wasn't certain if she saw me or not. It seemed unimportant. I merely sat, his words going through my mind for what must have been the hundredth time in just the last two days.
"I know you're one of us, and know that the battle we're fighting affects us all, but there's also this nagging feeling, I've got. A feeling that's telling me that this was her fight and not yours. A feeling that says maybe this path isn't for you..."
Was that what it was? Her fight? Not mine? I was never truly a leader, just someone who did things, and sometimes others came along. Never one to push myself as authority, I merely went about things in a way that some others seemed to feel was appropriate. But that didn't mean I followed her into this, did it? Not initially, but in the sense that my heart had finally accepted it as my place?
I had loved her, loved her still I felt, but that didn't mean it was all about her...necessarily.
I lowered my head, long hair falling over my eyes for a moment. My hand searched beneath the neck of my shirt, finding the pendant I wore there. A pentagram, small and not too well made, but still the sign of the star, a reminder of the faith I'd left behind so many years ago. A reminder of something else as well, though. Something lost must more recently than my faith in the Goddess and the Star.
Kayla.
It had been a gift from her, one she'd given with a look of full concern and love, eyes locked on mine, not understanding my having left such a faith behind. She had been a Christian in her human life, but even after her "crossing over" I'd found her alone, eyes closed ina manner that seldom meant other than prayer. I'd convinced myself that she'd merely held tightly to one thing, something she felt would keep her human. But that night, under the full mon in a light drizzle of rain, she'd looked at me with her eeys set, none but seriousness behind them, and love, and reached up and put the necklace in place. I'd looked down, seeing the object, then looked to her, uncertain, almost offended.
"In case you're ever lost without me," she'd said. "It may just help you find your way home..."
"Lost without you," I whispered, then remembered the girl below, among the stones. She'd probably heard me, but I noticed just then that she wasn't alone either, at least not really. Her company, known or unknown, moved behind her, distantly, but following nonetheless.
Leona. Looking after me as always.
"Here," I said, trying to draw the girl's attention before Leona arrived. If my friend's movements had caused her to be defensive, a fight might ensue, and I didn't want that if it wasn't necessary.
I leaned my weight to one side, allowing myself to fall the twenty feet or so to the ground, landing nimbly on my toes several feet away from the girl.
I raised both hands, saying, "I mean you no harm. I'm merely waiting here for a friend, the one who comes behind you. Can we be friendly here?"



(ooc: okay, he's back. and on the off chance that there's some confusion, he's speaking to AB right now. your turn, sweetP)

 

[poohlive]

(I think that's a plot divot on your part Vandal, don't know how you want Lance to make up for it. I'll give it a try though)



"Three more rings, three more bearers. This is a smart one, right on the money. I can see us getting along just fine."
He took another bite, washing it down. A delightful burst of flavor with each mouthful. Something he could never live down.
"Two of them I don't know, the other one is in New York I believe. An old friend. I don't know why he's there, or what he's doing, but it's one step closer to finding what you need."
He glanced at the ring, and then at the man.
"Don't expect it to do all the work. You are responsible too. The ring is just a helper. It guides the way from time to time, gives you a little nudge in the right direction, that's about it. Don't expect it to just light up and show you what to do, or where to go. It's not a decoder ring."
A few more bites of his wonderful meal, letting it sink in as to both the flavor and texture, running about in his mouth.
"That, and..." He lamented, "The ring, as part of its magic has a Finder's clause. When a person is just "chosen" it has an incredible pull and brings them to the nearest ringbearer in order to be together. After that, the Finder's clause is over. The ring figures, once there's at least two of you together, you won't be aimlessly searching the globe for something you have no idea about. That's why it just doesn't pull or glow like before. You found Aria, your Finder's clause is up."

 

[Sweetp4u]

A.B.

The steady foot falls let her know for certain someone was on her trail, but the 'why?' escaped her. Listening, she could tell the person was light on their feet and could easily sense vampires.

What could she do now, If anything? Glancing around the grave yard, she looked for an easy way out of here. She hated being cornered, she hated being confronted as well.

Crouching down slightly by the largest head stone, she remained in the shadows. Perhaps if she hid they could pass right by her? No one hunted vampires anymore, perhaps it was just.. Maybe it was Jordan's men looking for her? Or perhaps Amber's goons were hunting her down to eliminate the middle 'man'?

Either case, she didn't want to be there right this minute, she wanted to find safety. She was no coward, but she was not stupid either. Taking on anyone from either clan would get her killed. Hiding as she had been for so long, working without damaging anything had kept her sorry ass alive.

Standing, she moved towards the back fence a step before the voice above rang out in her head. Stiffening, her eyes jerked upward as the tall guy came down. Landing and rising, she backed up a little more, another vampire.

Fear froze her solid to the spot as every scenario in her head played out with always the same bloody ending. Wrong place at the wrong time, or she was paranoid. Well, she knew she was paranoid, but that wasn't the issue now. Were they friendly or dangerous?

"I mean you no harm. I'm merely waiting here for a friend, the one who comes behind you. Can we be friendly here?" He spoke smoothly, quietly almost and advanced just enough for her to retreat into the shadows a little further. Turning her face a little, she kept the bad side away from him and his probing gaze.

"I.." A twig snapped and she jumped a little. People made her nervouse. Vampires made her feel worse. "I did not know you were hear, forgive my intrusion." She spoke softly, her english accent heavier than normal due to her fear. Cautioning a glance up at his face, she listened as the foot steps drew up with them, but did not turn and give the new arrival her attention.

She was torn between fear and curiousity, safety for herself wasn't her issue, it was their reaction to her that made her want to flee. She wanted to appologize for intruding yet again, but did not want to look any weaker than she had already. She was ..God! She hated the whole thinking process.

Sucking it up, putting forward her best "I'm brave" attitude, she finally got up the nerve to speak, "I should be going, again.. Sorry." Backing up away from them a little, she wanted permission to go, but at the same time wanted to question them. Her foot steps halted a little and she stood still once again. Pulling her hair against her, her coat as well, She was pretty much hidden from their glances for the most part.

"If I may ask, who are you two?" She didn't recognize either of them and she had been around for quite some time.