Witchfall [Closed to eternal_blade]

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner looked her in the eyes as she apologized, but he smirked slightly at the blush to her cheeks. He shook his head though, and began cleaning up the mess that cleaning her finger had left. "It's fine, not exactly the way you expect things to work out, I understand that." He said softly to her, as he rose from his seat with the bowl and the kit and walked over to his sink. He placed the kit in the cabinet, and poured the bowl out into the sink before setting it to the side for him to clean later.

He then turned to her with a slight smile as he leaned back against the edge of the sink. "Though, I did find something I didn't know I still possessed." He said in a sly tone, with a smile on his lips, before pushing off from the cabinet he was leaning on. "Come on, I'll show you." He bid her as he walked back towards his room, stopping briefly to adjust the sword mount that she had titled.

As he entered into his room, he leaned down to roll over the clock work lock on the chest, and with a pop it sprung open. The clothing inside had been kept free of dust, which of course with such an old looking chest, it seemed slightly odd. The cloths were not exactly in todays fashion, and the exact time period was hard to tell at best.

Conner himself knew they were from a variety of different cultures, and periods in time, but he wasn't going to riddle her with that just yet. Needless to say there was something that would fit her in the chest, and most of it was comfortable, leaning more towards lingerie and dresses for various types of parties than actual clothing most people would be seen wearing on a casual night.

"I figure you can find something that fits more comfortably in there, and I'll make sure some cloths are brought over tomorrow. There's a notepad and pen on the nightstand over there, write down what you want so that you're not disappointed with what you get." Conner said even as he was walking out of the bedroom and into his living room for a drink. He made his way to his liquor cabinet, and pulled out a couple of glasses and some scotch for them.

 

[black_howling]

Alley sighed as she gave a nod to his words, understanding what he meant. It still didn't stop her mind from going to places it shouldn't, but that was really more her fault then it was his. She thought on that for a moment or so longer, letting her eyes linger on his form as he put up the first aid kit, and cleaned the mess. You really should get your mind out of the gutter before you assume his is there.

Alley had a soft smile on her lips as she lingered on her own thoughts, though perked a brow as he mentioned having something. "Oh?" She asked, and smiled as he curled his finger for her to follow him. She decided to play along, and rose from her chair as she followed close behind him. She was, after all, very curious to see he was being so coy about.

Alley's eyes moved right toward the old chest as they entered the room, giving a puzzled expression at the near ancient lock it had. Conner seemed to know exactly what he was doing, though; and she watched in disbelief as he leaned down to make quick work of the mechanism. More surprising then his near Jurassic knowledge of the item was what it held inside, and her mouth went agape as she stepped forward with wide eyes.

"Whoa! This is beautiful. Shouldn't this be a museum somewhere?" Alley jested near playfully, letting her eyes come up to glance at him from a side long view. She leaned down while listening to what he said, and nodded her head at the list. She hated setting anything down in stone, so she wouldn't like it. Though she wasn't sure if that was because she liked the freedom to change her mind, or because she prone to forget what she needed.

Moving through the clothes, Alley picked out a few that she figured she'd feel comfortable in. It was a simple white nightgown with matching undergarments. She almost thought they were made of true lace from the way the material felt, but she wasn't about to complain about having it against her skin. "I'm gonna go clean up a little and change first. I'll have the list settled when I get out." She said with a soft smile.

Alley took the clothes then, rising as she began to make her way out of the bedroom and down the hall. She found the bathroom easily enough, and shut herself inside it as she turned on the sink. She pulled the hospital gown over her head after that, and tossed it to the ground as she wet a cloth. She brushed it over her skin lightly, doing a slight clean up job from the mess at the hospital, focusing mainly on her face and nether regions.

Once Finished, Alley slipped into the lacy panties, and snapped the bra on around her breast. Pulling the gown over her head, she took his brush to run through her hair as she stepped from the bathroom and down the hall to his bedroom. "All finished, I'll start on that list now." She said as she walked toward the nightstand, and began to jot down her thoughts on paper. She listed them as clearly as she could, but it was hard to know how long she'd need it all to last.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner poured them both a drink before pulling out his phone, only to find that it had shattered in his pocket from the fall from the hospital. Oh, bloody hell! Conner thought, before leaving the drinks to go get his land-line. He went over to a couch, sitting down and pulling out an older model corded phone from under the couch. He spun the dial a few times, and waited for Mac to pick up.

"Mac? No, it didn't go well! Nethys showed up, why I don't know. I dropped my gun in an Alleyway next to the hospital, my phone broke in my pocket, and Nethys melted my badge. I'll need them replaced by tomorrow." Conner listened for a few seconds, before his head nodded slightly. "Alright, Mac. I'll see what I can't do. Oh; the girl. She's a mage, she awakened at the hospital. I'm bringing her into HQ tomorrow, I'll meet you there." Conner said, listened for a few more seconds and then hung up the phone.

He sighed heavily, before rising from the couch to pick up the glasses. He walked back into his bedroom, where he found Alley in what he deemed a more appealing outfit than what she had worn on the train the day before hand. He stalled for a second, but as she turned around in the lace gown he spoke up. "I figured you could use something to calm your nerves, here." Conner said, his voice accenting a little further than he normally did.

"I hope you like scotch, all my wine is in the cellar, and well I didn't want to open my cellar." His voice got slightly grim as he spoke of not wanting to open his cellar, as if something terrible was down there. He reached to hand the glass to her, and smiled at her. "I like the way lace looks on you, I think." Conner complimented her as neutrally as he could, which wasn't easy considering the concentration it took to keep his eyes from roaming over her like a hungry animal.

 

[black_howling]

Alley was stroking the old pen against the paper, writing down anythings she could of think that she'd need. Clothes, certain foods, feminine products; wow was she really this low maintenance? I hope I'm getting everything... She thought as she lifted the fountain pen, looking at it in her hand. It was made in such an old design, she was nearly amazed that it still worked so well.

Though as she thought on it a little more, everything in Conner's house was like that. He was old fashioned it seemed. Not that it was a bad thing, it gave me the man an alluring charm that was exotic among the others she had known. It was then her cheeks turned pink, and she giggled aloud at how much she sounded like a starstruck teenager that was following after Edward Cullen.

Calm it down... Alley told herself as she laid the pen beside the paper, but it was then she heard Conner enter the room. She turned to face him with a smile on her lips, though her cheeks darkened lightly at how he complimented her choice in clothing. "Thanks. I thought it would look good..." She said as her eyes cast to the side, giggling internally at the fact tha sudden flutters were rushing down her spine. Come on, it's not like this is the first time a guy has looked at you.

Alley's chastising thought did little to stop the butterflies that warmed her tummy, so she just sighed as an eyebrow perked at the fact that he'd brought her liquor. She'd drank before at friends, but it was two years away before she'd be able to legally drink. She realized then that this man was definitely not a cop, or at-least not really one. "I don't mind scotch one bit." She said with a smile, deciding it better to ignore his mention of the cellar.

The last thing Alley needed right now was to be more confused, so she padded barefoot across the room to take the drink from his hand. 'Cheers." She said with a soft grin, bringing the glass to her lips as she let the burning liquid fall down her throat. She just breath out as she lowered the glass, not coughing, but her eyes did slant from the sudden rush to her head.

"I need to sit down." Alley said in a voice full of husk, no doubt brought on from the drink she'd just taken. She walked backwards to the bed as she motioned with her finger for him to follow, and sat down on the soft cushions as she leaned against the railing. She brought the glass to her lips again as he took his seat, and after letting her eyes roll, she asked. "So, have you got any good news about this all?" Her voice was slightly shaky from the harsh liquor, and she shook her head as if to clear it.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner smiled as Alley chirped before walking over to him, and taking the drink from his hand. He brought the glass to his lips, and perked an eyebrow as she said cheers somewhat awkwardly. She's less use to alcohol than I thought... He thought trying to get more of a gauge for this young lady. He disliked background checks as they always brought on judgments that one wouldn't normally hold against someone, and so he still knew very little about her past.

He chuckled before nodding to her as she went to sit on the edge of the bed, and a bemused smile crossed his lips as he followed her waving hand. "Yes, go easy on that." He said softly to her as he sat down, but rolled his eyes as she knocked all but a little in the bottom back. He watched as she rolled her eyes, and little did she know her head as well. This of course stretched her neck in a way that were more than alluring; but truly sexual.

This was the first time Conner had seriously thought about her as a lover, but the thought was rolling over his brain. Keep you head on the objective; and off of her breast. He thought adamantly, even as her next question arose and what seemed like a lust filled gaze was directed his way. "Eh-hem, excuse me." He said as he nearly coughed, but did what he could to bring his mind from her cleavage.

"Good news? Yes, we have some of that." Conner said as if it was probably not good news that helped her directly. "The best news is that the man that attacked you on the subway and the story that was created to keep it out of the public eye, has helped to keep the what Nethys did at the hospital from being too big a deal." He said, though he could already feel slight judgement from Alley, she knew it was big deal and probably couldn't understand how keeping it from the public would help, not yet anyways.

 

[black_howling]

Alley at first just let her tongue run over the edge of the glass, staring into Conner's eyes as he coughed lightly. The action brought a more mischievous smile to her lips, and she giggled his way before knocking the rest of the scotch into the back of her throat. It burned just the same as before, causing her to breath out harshly as she stared more lustfully into his eyes. "I think you should have gotten to know me better before giving me hard liquor."

Alley didn't what brought on her words, but she blushed lightly after them, sitting her glass down on the nightstand beside the bed. It was with that she thought on his mention of the subway and hospital. Her eyes slanted confused for a moment. What does he mean by that? She wondered as she looked his way, searching his face for any indication of what he meant. "What do you mean? How is that good news, patients died in there..." She said shakily, simply not understanding how he could have thought it was a good thing.

Alley then realized the liquor was getting to her, so with a sigh she just averted her gaze to the window. "Never mind. I probably won't understand right now anyway..." She said while sliding up onto the bed, laying back until she felt her head touch one of the soft pillows. Were those feathers? "I think I need some rest." She said, half meaning it, half just wanting to let her mind take in everything that was happening here.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner sighed under his breath as she began to chastise him, and shook his head as he raised up from sitting at the bed with her. He was about to retort, but once again she silenced him before he ever got a chance. He watched her slide up the bed to get some rest, a frown plain across his features, "Good night, Alley." He said quietly as he picked up the glass she had sat on the nightstand, along with the list she had made, and walked from the room, turning the lights off as he did such.

He made his way to his liquor cabinet where he pured himself another drink, and went to call into HQ about the things she would need. The calls took another three hours, while he drank more than a bit of well aged scotch, but he had it all taken care of. She didn't have that many things listed! He thought about how much trouble most of the people who normally handled such things with such ease, had with the things she had requested.

With a shake of his head, he rose from the couch to get a little sleep before they needed to go. Upon walking into the bedroom, he could see Alley in the early morning light curled up in the bedclothes. How does she manage to take up so much of the covers? With a sigh he merely got undressed, and went to crawl into bed without stirring her. It wasn't all that hard, what with the scotch she wasn't used to, and how many hours she had been awake.

Conner laid there for about two hours, not being able to fall into a restful slumber. He supposed it was to be expected, after so many years of being alive, seeing the things he had seen, and doing the things he had done, sleep just didn't come easily. Oh, bloody hell! He mentally cursed as he rose from his bed, again trying not to disturb Alley as he did such, and went to get a shower.

 

[black_howling]

It wasn't long after Alley's words that the comfort of the pillow truly began to sink in, and slowly she could feel the effects of the liquor taking over. Her eyelids began to get heavy, and soon they closed to the sight of Conner getting up from the bed to walk away from her. Those last sights carried over into her dreams, warping as they formed into something created from her fears. Something she had imaged twice now, but refused to acknowledge.

Alley found herself staring at that very image, the image of Conner walking away while she was alone in the subway. Before her stood Nethys as he held her tight, and no matter how many times she screamed for Conner, he would not turn to her. "You're not worth protecting, don't you see? Now just relax, and give me your soul." The creature said in a chilling voice, causing the air to leave her lungs as true panic overtook her.

It was then that time flashed again, and Alley found herself bolting upright in the bed screaming. "Ahhhh!" The sound was echoing from her lips as she shook, and immediately she looked to see Conner, and leaned forward to grip him tight. "You're still here?" She asked in a crying panic before what had happened fully came to her attention, and once it did she felt her cheeks flush.

Alley slowly uncurled her arms from around him as she scooted to the other side of the bed, still shaking slightly from the shock. "I'm- sorry." She said before biting her bottom lip, and running her fingers nervously through the bed sheets. Why the hell had she done that? Had things really shaken her up so much? She supposed she just hadn't realized how much had happened, that she just hadn't understood how much it had really worried her.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner spent his time in the shower washing nearly twenty four hours of work from his well toned form, when he was done he turned off the water and slid the shower door open to step out. As water dripped from his body, he picked up a towel to pat it against his skin. After a little bit of that he ran the slightly wet cloth through his hair to dry it a slight, before wrapping it around his waist.

He opened the bathroom door to hear whimpers coming form his bedroom, which caused him to frown and shake his head. I knew she hadn't been sleeping well, but that sounds pretty bad. He thought with slight worry as he walked to the bedroom to see if she was alright, but his worry deepened as he heard thrashing coming from the room, and she begin to scream.

Conner ran in the door, and just as he came into her view he could see her eyes bolt open. He ended up looking around the room for a second in slight awe, but didn't have time to contemplate the blue energies swirling around before he felt her feminine form press up against him in a tight hug. His attention was taken from the energies, and they slid back into her form as she laid back to the bed, seemingly unaware of what had been happening.

Conner's jaw was agape, but even as she apologized he was shaking his head. "You have nothing to apologize for!" He said forcefully, his jaw closing the slack as he gathered his wits about him. He sat on the bed, and ran a hand over her head. "I dunno what you were dreaming about, but you've been through a lot. It's to be expected." He said to her soothingly, as his hands ran through her slightly damp hair.

 

[black_howling]

The room still hadn't come into proper focus for Alley, she was still seeing Nethys every time she closed her eyes. When Conner began to speak, she could immediately feel a calm come over her. She nodded her head slowly when he chimed about not apologizing, she sometimes had issues with that. Though it was nothing compared to when he sat down and ran his fingers through her hair, she feel her skin tingle under his touch. She didn't speak at first, just leaned her head into his hand as she sighed lightly.

Alley didn't let the seconds stretch too far as she pulled herself together, and soon she brought her eyes to his with a worried expression. "I didn't realize how shook up I was. It's just, a lot has happened I guess." She said with yet another sigh, but it was then she sat upright on the bed while her eyes searched about. She realized how sweaty she was immediately, and stood from the bed as she glanced his way.

"I don't suppose any changes of clothes have come in yet? I'd like to get a shower. Though I guess I could just use more from the trunk." Alley asked as she stretched out, bringing her hands above her head as she sighed from the tension relaxing in her back. Making a soft whimper as she lowered her arms, her eyes cast back to his as a gentle smile played across her lips. Despite the worries in her dreams, he was definitely still here. She was just glad she hadn't woke up begging him not to leave. Now that would have been embarrassing.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner smiled at Alley, as she leaned into his hand and made a soft sigh. Then all of a sudden she tensed, and sat upright as she spoke. He titled his head at the motion, and her words and just nodded. She then stood up and stretched out as she asked about a change of clothing, which had Conner's eyes roaming over her slender form. She was slender for sure, but with very womanly curves, even her breast had full shape to them, it was a quality most slender women simply didn't posses.

He shook his head at her even as he answered with slight delay. "Not yet. Some of the things you asked for were apparently not in their vocabulary." Conner said jokingly, trying to bring some levity to the situation at hand. "Though you're welcome to get washed, and use any cloths from the trunk. I doubt all of the clothing in there will fit you, but at least some of it will." Conner said calmly, almost serenely as his eyes wandered over her beautiful form.

His mind wasn't fully on the present, but on a woman he knew very intimately almost three hundred years ago. He couldn't help but think of her now as he looked upon Alley standing in the mid morning light, in cloths that had once been hers. I really shouldn't keep things like that around... He thought to himself briefly, knowing it probably wasn't healthy, most of the order certainly considered it a bad habit.

 

[black_howling]

Alley giggled when he said that the items she asked for were not in their vocabulary. What, are they stuck in the last century? She wondered as she turned to stare back at him, a soft smile playing over her lips as he continued on about the clothes in the trunk. She had already realized they wouldn't all fit her, but that wasn't a problem really. She was just glad to have something she could dress in.

Alley stepped forward then, and gently brushed her fingers over his shoulder as she leaned forward to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. "Thanks." She said quite simply, walking around as she wandered toward the trunk. Pulling out a tight dress that looked as though it belonged to an expensive European cocktail waitress from the 1930's, she rose and walked out to the hallway. From the hall closet she pulled a drying towel, and once she had these items all gathered, she made her way to the bath.

Alley closed the bathroom door behind her as she assorted the outfit where it would not get wet, and then placed the towel to the side. Afterwards she undressed and put her lacy clothes in a hamper to the side, stepping into the shower to turn on the water. It came out cold at first, splashing her face and breast with a much needed bit of ice to cool her tense body. It warmed up rather quickly though, leaving her the energy to wash her form as she processed what all had happened.

Alley was done all too quickly for her liking, though, leaving her to turn off the water and dry. She finished the task quickly, and slipped on the undergarments she'd gathered, far too black and lacy to go with the outfit, but still very nice. Afterwards she laced on the little black dress. It was a little tight around her chest, but that really gave the whole look some flair it might not otherwise have. Deciding it looked good, she ran a brush through her still damp hair, and made her way out.

As Alley stepped into the hallway, she heard a noise from the living room. "Conner; what's for breakfast?" She asked teasingly as she followed the noise, letting her eyes scan about until she saw him. She stepped out as he took note of her, and spun around so he could see how the outfit looked. "What do you think?" She asked with a grin as she came back to face him, letting her eyes linger in on his.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner was still thinking of another woman in another time, when the young woman before him sauntered to him to brush his shoulder with her finger tips, before kissing his cheek. The brush to his shoulder brought him out of his own memories and into the present where he had to keep himself from patting the thankful young beauty on the rump as she walked off. He watched her collect what she needed, and then shook his head with a slight laugh as she walked into the bathroom.

A slight sigh came from his lips once he was done with his laughter as he rose to his feet to get dressed. He pulled another pair of blue jeans and A-shirt from a shelf in the his closet, before pulling a short sleeved grey shirt from a hanger. It didn't take him long to get the outfit on, and to pull on his boots, which he felt more comfortable in than the shoes that were the norm for todays world. Once he was dressed he brushed his hair lightly, before walking to living room.

Once in there, he looked to his kitchen with a shake of his head. Bloody-Hell! She's gonna need to eat. He thought for a second, and wondered if he had anything for breakfast. Even he had to eat, but he normally grabbed something on the go at one point or another through the day. Conner sighed as he walked into his kitchen to see what he could manage, but as he looked around there weren't too many of the normal ingredients used to cook a well balanced breakfast.

Well this is gonna be a disappointment... He thought with some disdain, before he looked over to a door, and smiled slightly. That's right, I went hunting a few weeks ago! He thought to himself as he walked to the door opening it up to a large dark basement, where numerous boxes, chest, and crates lay collecting dust on them.

One item that stood out from this was a large deep freeze next to another, smaller door. He walked down the slightly creaky steps, turning on a light as he did such. Conner couldn't help but be tense this close to his cellar, after all it wasn't just anyone who had a shadow demon trapped in their house, and he could maybe count on his hand the number of people he knew that had survived any form of contact with one of the creatures.

Another sigh escaped his lips at the moment his hand came to rest on the deep freeze, but even as strong willed as Conner was he flinched as a screech that only a few creatures could hear came to his ears. Well, I'm glad she hasn't started messing with too many spells yet... He thought as he controlled his breathing, and opened the deep freeze to find the needed meat.

He closed the freezer, and walked back slowly from the cellar door. The idea of keeping that thing in there was of course to keep it sleeping and depleted of energy until he could kill it, but Conner knew such a day was a few weeks away, at best. He turned off the light, and shut the door, and the screeching stopped. He leaned against the door, his breathing becoming more regular by the second, until he pushed himself from it to walk to his stove.

He poured some water into a sauce pan, and dashed a few herbs, seasoning, before pouring a little bit of starch into the mix. He then turned got a deep pot and put the meat from his hunting trip into the metal casing, and sliding it into his oven. With a twist of his wrist, Conner turned on the oven, and let it rest while he stirred the sauce.

It wasn't long after, that he could hear the water turn off, and Alley yell out her question of what was for breakfast. Not anything you've likely had before. He thought of the little dish of his homeland, and the fact that most simply didn't have the know how to make it anymore. He sat the sauce pan to the side of the oven, as the thick brown sauce inside began to boil, and he walked to greet her.

He had just walked into the living room when she locked eyes with him for a second, and then did a little spin, asking him what he thought. His eyes roamed over her, and he couldn't help but shake his head. "You look amazing; as you always do, I would presume!" He complimented her, before smiling. "I hope you don't mind an uncommon meal, I'm out of eggs." He said after a second to gather his wits about him, though he was beginning to wonder what it was about this girl that kept him so off-track.

 

[black_howling]

Alley found herself surprised by his chirpy response, it almost seemed like he was out of his element in the kitchen. Scratch that thought... She told herself as he mentioned the uncommon meal, and indeed she found herself sniffing at a rather pleasing scent in the air. "I'm always open to try new things, so we'll see." She said with a soft smile crossing her lips, and slowly she made her way to the dining table.

Alley took her seat with a calm poise, and looked up to the man as she traced her fingers over the polished wood. She noticed a sort of gritty feel beneath her fingertips, and glanced down to find thin dust coating the top of the table. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the home, which was meticulously well kept from what she could tell. "The tables slightly dusty..." She said with a soft giggle, removing her fingers before dusting them off on a napkin.

Did this man even eat? Alley wondered as placed the napkin back down, and looked up to find him over the stove yet again. He seemed to have taken note of her words, but as of yet he had said nothing. It wasn't the first time he'd taken pause in answering her, so remained patient in trust that he would. After all, he obviously didn't want her going anywhere else at the moment....

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner nodded to Alley with a soft smile, before he returned to the kitchen. There he stirred the sauce with a wooden spoon, but once again he was brought from what he was doing by the girl who at least until later today was going to be staying with him. Conner sighed at the fact that the table was dusty, and looked over to her. "There's a duster and some spray in the cabinet over there." He said pointing over to an oak cabinet at the far end of the dinning hall.

Cleaning supplies weren't the only things in the large storage cabinet, but they didn't look out of place with the rest of the house; too much. He continued stirring the sauce until it thickened to his liking, and then touched an amulet on the oven which caused it to glow near imperceptibly. So using enchanted charms for frivolous task is bad, but I have a schedule to keep. He thought to himself, knowing that without the charm the meat wouldn't get done for some time and would have been tough once the frozen beef had finished cooking.

Conner pulled the sauce pan from the stove to place it at the side to cool while turning off the stove and oven. He grabbed a pair of mitts, opening the oven, and pulling out the finished meal. Once he removed the lid on the pot roast, the fragrance drifted through the room, reminding him of home. As he pulled two bowls from the cabinet, he shook the old thoughts away, before cutting some of the roast into the bowls, and pouring the sauce into them.That'll do! He thought before pulling out a little bread from pantry, and taking the bowls to the table.

'Well, it may be a little heavy for breakfast; but it will give you energy for the long day ahead of us." He said to her, and cut her a large piece of yeast bread. As he handed her the bread, he sat down in the chair, and then winced as the thing in his cellar screeched again. Don't smell the mage, what ever you do don't sense the mage in any way! He thought forcefully, though it actually did little good.

 

[black_howling]

When Conner spoke of the duster, it made Alley's eyes roll. What do I look like, the cleaning lady? She thought with sarcasm, but none the less she did rise to grab them. Opening the cabinet door, she paused for but a moment as she noticed several seedy looking bags, all filled with herbs of some sort. So the strange occult detective also enjoys his magic grass. She thought with a silent giggle, but ignored them as she reached for the cleaner, and moved back to the table.

As Alley sprayed the cleaner down, she couldn't help but watch Conner as he cooked. It was bad enough that she didn't know what it was, but even the smell was unfamiliar. She found herself sniffing the air every little bit as she cleaned, hoping to get some clue. Of course this trend stopped when the scent of the cleaner made her sneeze, and she couldn't help but feel foolish for being so nosy.

Once finished, Alley discarded the waste, and replaced the cleaner back in the cabinet just as Conner was taking the food from the oven. "Pot roast?" She wondered aloud, but it made little difference as Conner just seemed to brush it off. Instead he just bantered about the nutritional values of a heavy breakfast, like he was looking to boost her metabolism or something.

With a sigh, Alley sat back down at the table and began to look over the meal. More a dinner then a breakfast she thought, but her stomach as growling at it's smell, and food was food. "Thanks Conner. Hope I wasn't bugging you..." She said, punctuating the last sentence as a nudge to him. She knew it was impolite, but he had barely said a word to her through the entire time of cooking. She felt ignored.

Alley already regretted the nudge when she began to make herself a plate, but before she could speak an apology, a horrid screech entered her mind. "What was that?" She asked Conner, wincing as the wicked noise sounded out yet again. It was like nails on a chalk board, or worse. It was only when the worse part crossed her mind that she realized she might prefer not to know.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner seen Alley's features light up, and he could tell that she had heard the shadow. It's not bad enough that I have an assassin in my cellar and an inexperienced mage in my house, but now the two can sense each other! He thought with a little sarcasm, and titled his head as she asked what that was. "Blended herbs. I know it makes the whole meal!" Conner said trying to deflate the tension. It however was a moot point as the thing screeched again, and her eyes narrowed.

"Oh; you meant the thing screaming?" Conner asked as if that just occurred to him, his features lighting up as if he just realized what she been meaning. "It''s a friends pet, he asked me to put it down cause he didn't have the heart to do it himself. Poor thing..." He said with as honest an expression as could be expected, most of what he saying was true, all but the friend part anyway.

"If it's bothering your breakfast we can go outside, I'm sure the sun would gaze upon you in awe as sure as heaven would." Conner said with charming smile, and knew had come up with a fairly good line there. I'll have to try to remember that one! Oh, I used that one a few decades back. Dammit! Conner thought with frustration even as the shadow in his cellar screeched again.

 

[black_howling]

Alley was surprised at how he answered at first, and narrowed her eyes before he continued on with something that sounded absurd. She blinked at him a few times, and then he went off on how they could just go outside, and showered her with a sugared line that did make her smile. Sometimes, despite how sweet he was, the man's dishonesty bothered her. "You're a really good liar, you know?"

The question was more a jib then anything else, letting him know she knew better. "Don't worry about it though, with everything else I've seen, I guess screeching like that is the least disturbing." She said, though winced again as another screech filled her ears. No, she was the one lying now, there weren't many things more disturbing then the sound the creature was making. It made her ears feel like they were going to bleed.

Alley didn't let it bring her down, though, and stared at Conner with a half smile crossing back over her lips. She didn't say anything more just yet, she instead decided to take this time to eat. Digging in, she nearly moaned at the taste of the food, but she controlled herself. Not scarfing it down, she enjoyed the meal until the plate was clean. She didn't think she would eat that much.

"Conner that was great!" Alley found herself chirping, and giggled lightly at herself. "I guess I was more hungry then I thought." She admitted as she smiled his way, though it was fractured as the thing screeched yet again, this time it seemed to sound louder into her mind. She was going to need to get away from that. "Let's go back to the room, where I can't hear whatever is hiding in your basement."

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner couldn't help but chuckle as she called him out on his lie, but he didn't admit to anything just yet, there were some things she wasn't ready for. Instead he went to eating his meal, which he noticed quickly he had added too much butter to. That's why I hate cooking, there's always something you did wrong, or something you could have done better. He thought with ever so slight frustration.

He was however brought from his thought by Alley who said that the screeching was less disturbing than other things she had to concern herself with, which had Conner's jaw agape. "I would hope not..." he said simply before trailing off to finish his food, which didn't take him as long as it did her. He sat there watching her eat, which was more than a little amusing as the last thing she had eaten was probably hospital food.

As she finished her meal she chirped about how she had liked it, which made Conner smile. "Yes, hospital food just can't compete.." Conner however trailed off as he heard the sound of a loud engine driving down the road, and titled his head. I don't remember anyone driving something that sounded like that. He thought to himself as he stood up from his seat even as alley spoke of wanting to get away from the screeching.

"I think that's a good idea, you go on. I'll be in there in a bit..." He said somewhat distantly as he walked to the front door to peak out the glass. He knew the truck or muscle car was too far to see or even for most people top hear it, but the fact that he could meant it was in the neighborhood. He waited a second before he went into his room, they needed to be ready if this was unfriendly.

 

[black_howling]

Alley liked how she made Conner smile with the compliment to his food, but it was obvious that he wasn't satisfied with it. Still, she enjoyed it; even if it was more fit for a dinner. Though she became alarmed when he got a far off look in his eye, and she knew something was amiss. She opened her mouth to ask what it was, but was cut off as he rose from the table, and agreed.

Alley perked an eyebrow at how he was acting, but resisted the temptation to follow him. She rose from the table, and sighed as she walked from the kitchen, though she was glad of leaving it when the creatures shriek was not as audible. Though just as she neared the hall that would lead to his room, she paused and turned around to glance back at him. "When you figure out what it is you're looking for out there, please tell me about it." She said with a smile, and continued her pace.

Alley knew if given the chance Conner would keep it from her. He was simply too good at lying, it was what he went to first. Sure, lies could be good at times. She remembered how her own father had explained about artist using lies to tell the truth. Still, what he was doing was covering it up, and worst of all he thought it would protect her.

When Alley reached Conner's room, she proceeded on in; but almost instantly she felt a cool feeling wash over her. It made her dizzy, and she nearly toppled forward before she caught herself. "Say girlie, why don't you play nicer?" Asked a voice she had never heard before, and she looked around to try and find it's source.

Alley looked every which way, but found nothing besides a strange chuckle she now realized came from her mind. It was dejavu from the hospital, and on instinct she jumped toward Conner's bed with a squeal. "Now that's not nice. I'm not gonna hurt you...." The voice called out in her mind, but she just crawled toward the middle of the bed as her eyes scanned about.

Alley knew she should just call for Conner, but something in her wanted to take care of this herself. So she stayed silent, afraid she would scream. "I can't speak well with you in the bed, come play outside it." The voice beckoned as she thought for a way out of it. It was upon thinking that her eyes shined, and a wicked smile crossed her lips. "I think you should leave before I feed a hungry creature." The voice that escaped her lips was more husky then her own, a little more mature.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner walked into his room to hear Alley speak in a voice that made him uncomfortable considering the circumstances, and would have unnerved him in the best of coincidences. That voice almost sounds familiar... Conner thought as he looked at Alley who was crouched on his bed as if she was fending off attackers from either side.

"Alley? Who are you talking too?" Conner said cautiously even as he slowly made his way to his closet, where his best gear was. He watched her as he made his way past, it was a mix of emotions playing over her features that had his attention. Conner let his own senses play out over the room, but found that if their was something else there, Alleys own power was masking it.

As he reached the closet, swinging it open, he couldn't help but think of how he always ended up in multi-problematic situations. Conner knew he didn't have time to deal with it all right now, so he focused on the things he could deal with quickly and easily; like getting ready for company.

 

[black_howling]

Alley's mind was boggled as she heard the other entity in her mind taking charge. No, it was more like the elder being was guiding her. "Don't make threats you can't keep, dear girl!" The being that had yet to manifest said in a cruel tone, but bolstered by the other entity, she couldn't fear it.

It was as the wisps of his consciousness left Alley's mind that a spell came to her thoughts. It was a spell used to see aura's, both intangible and strong. She focused it, her eyes shining in a glow as she spotted the beings essence, and made a lustful giggle. "Oh, I think I can keep the threat quite well." She said in a husk, the two pronged voice still lacing her own.

It was only then Alley heard Conner's words, and the dual entity seemed to suppress in her mind as if it feared discovery from her guardian. She shuddered then as a myriad of emotions crossed her features, and suddenly she felt vulnerable without the aid of whatever had come over her. She gripped the bedsheets, and felt the psychic intrusion pierce her conscience again. "Less brave now, are you? Leap from the bed, and take me on without your guardian, if you think you can!"

Alley knew it was a terrible idea, but she answered Conner before she thought on it too much. "Oh, no one in particular. Just more things that like to speak in my head instead of aloud." She answered, her voice trembling lightly as flashes of the ER entered her mind. She had hit that thing with the receiver so hard that it'd broke. He just laughed it off, he should have been bleeding!

Alley's thoughts were broke up there as the creature sent another chill through her spine, and his words echoed deep into her subconscious. "Your guardian can't help you here, you're ripe for the taking. Once my friends get here, I'll play with you personally." The creature cackled into her mind, and then the essence was gone, leaving her with only a feeling of dread in it's wake.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

conner winced at the way she said that, but unfortunately he didn't have time just right now to figure it out. He reached into the closet pulling out an old wooden jewelry box engraved with a silver pentacle, and took it to the dresser next to his bed. He opened it with slight resistance from the energies that kept it bound shut, and pulled from it a jewel encrusted necklace of shining silver.

He looked over to Alley, his head tilting in a second of hesitation. This isn't exactly something I can use, but she will be able-possibly can already... The second of hesitation left him as he handed her the pendant over to her. "Here, put this on. we're going to have company of the undesirable variety, but it's always good to dress up for the occasion." Conner voice cracked as he thought of the mage he had taken that piece of jewelry from, and hoped she wouldn't become like her.

As the artifact left his finger he pulled out a ring from the box, and shut the old wooden box. As he turned to get his coat, he put on the ring, before pulling the coat from the rack he kept it on. "Let's go out the back way, better to avoid trouble if we can." Conner said slightly unconvinced that they would truly be able to avoid the unwanted company, but if they could, it was a lot better to not let her test the boundaries of her spells so near houses this old.

Conner walked to the doorway, trying to get a good idea of where the loud engines were, but found that too many distraction were getting in his way. The sound of alley's racing heart, birds outside singing springs songs, and the sound of wind swaying through tree tops made it all but impossible to pin down anything more than the direction of the vehicle. "Come on!" He said briskly as he walked quickly to his back patio, and slide the door open.

 

[black_howling]

The words of the creature stung Alley, and she winced as she realized Conner hadn't replied to her words. When he placed the jewelry down next her though, she looked up at him curiously before he explained. Giving a soft nod in response, she quickly clasped the pendant around her neck, feeling the soft tinges of magic begin to flow into her. It felt good, revitalizing; and oh it felt powerful.

Conner's jest threw Alley off from the thoughts, and she hopped off the bed as she stayed on his heel. "Do you really think we'll manage to avoid them?" She asked as they slipped into the kitchen, but his snap to hurry told her he wasn't in the mood for questions. She complied though, and scurried along behind him, shifting her body to easily slink safely out the back door and onto the patio.

Alley's magic heightened senses could already tell something was amiss, so she stepped forward, and tugged lightly on Conner's coat. "Somethings wrong, there's something hiding out here..." She said in a soft tone, near whispering to him as she tried to focus her senses, trying to stake out the exact location of the culprit in question. It was as she focused her senses that the swoon came, a rush of magical energy that almost made her knees buckle.

"There's a mage or something, we need to hurry!" Alley felt silly saying what he already had, and so she jumped from the patio to get a head start, but that's when she felt a strong pull of essence. It was there, shining to her right that she seen the spell bolt, barely visible to mortal eyes. Skidding to a stop, she managed to spin around it, and the bolt flared as it struck a tree in Conner's back yard.

Alley felt so foolish for running ahead like she had, but she couldn't even see what had attacked her. That's right girlie, there's more to me then meets the eye!" The disembodied voice echoed into her mind, and she squealed as she moved toward Conner, not knowing when the next assault would come, or what she'd do when it did.

 

[Eternal_Blade]

Conner stopped as Alley tugged on his jacket, and he looked back to her even as his own senses felt an energy come from somewhere nearby. What's that? He thought to himself, but before he could get a fix on it she darted from his side and into the yard. It was a second later, even as he was already moving that way that she had to dodge a magical arrow that struck his tree.

Not my trees! He mentally cursed the assailant that had harmed one of the trees he had spent decades foresting. He grabbed Alley by the arm and pulled her behind him, as he drew from his inner coat his magic absorbing knife. "Stay with me, we don't have room for mistakes like that.' Conner said in a calm quiet tone, even as he felt the feeling of portal magic at work.

The bastard could be anywhere, just sitting in his basement throwing spells at us while eating a pizza! Conner thought, though his example was more that of experience than of any truth, it would take a mage of considerable skill to eat while casting. Conner began pulling Alley along by the arm, making sure to keep his wits about. His own senses were dulled slightly by her presence, as her energies were covering up most of the area.

What blood line is this girl from?! His mind troubled over the question once more, and every moment she was around the occult she grew even more potent. "Almost there.." Conner said as he inched towards a shack in his yard, it held a motorcycle inside, and that was one thing they would have trouble tampering with. It's always nice to have an escape plan. Conner reasoned as he opened up the shed, to reveal a near ancient Harley Davidson , that looked like something out of a an old biker movie.

The metal and paint were well polished even if the bike had an effigy akin to what you might imagine demons in their natural form appearing as. "Get on" He said softly to her, hoping she didn't listen to whoever it was that was talking to her. It's got to be someone close to her, or they bought something of hers from someone close. He thought with distaste knowing that this level of pinpointing wasn't her name alone being used.