Those in White Hoods (Nyx, and anybody else who wants to joi

In her surprise, she had quickly pulled her hand away and backed off as his eyes shut open. Ilena was immediately taken aback by his large eyes that seemed to pull all attention towards himself. They were of a colour she had never seen before, shining a gentle warmth in the coldness that had surrounded them all. Her amazement turned into what could be described as horror, though it wasn’t exactly that, but rather a strong overpowering feeling of agitation as the child talked and called them both by their names. The boy seemed to be wise beyond his years; what he said was so right… It was maddening, how he seemed to be able to so easily read her and the course her actions would take if one thing was to be done. This boy’s gaze froze her on the spot; she could do nothing but stare back in those eyes. Her safety. Again, someone started about her being safe and all. What was it with people trying to keep her safe today? Had the world gone mad? Was this all really a dream? The girl’s mind was spinning around, nothing seemed to make sense. This kid who was half-dying in what were simply moments ago, was now requesting her to do something. Ilena had to admit, she was very curious as to what that particular thing could be. Though a rather creepy saying suddenly swept through her mind; ‘Curiosity killed the cat’. Although she indeed was very curious, she refused to immediately agree to do something for a stranger. Even though the girl fully realized this was one of her weak spots. The pouty face this boy made absolutely did not help in her attempt to resist the request. However, rationality took over again; who knows what it could be? And, besides, all the strange things that had happened today made it more likely that this boy, somehow, could have a role in whatever ‘all this’ might be. She had to watch out. “What the hell…”, Ilena managed to utter out, glancing backwards towards Skill as she stepped closer to him “Who are you?” Why was nothing making sense! It was truly maddening. Everything that had happened today simply had to have a connection; otherwise she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to retain her sanity. Not that she was completely sane to start with, but all these events might push her over the limits that are the human mind. After all, don’t they lock up people who claim to have experienced things alike to the events she was experiencing right now? The girl shivered at the thought of that. No, she truly hoped this was real. And that she wasn’t going to end up crazy. Though Ilena guessed that seeing as she already was nuts, it wouldn’t matter to become a little more insane. She focused on the boy again, “I suppose you are going to tell me first what it is you expect me to do and why?” Although her voice sounded questioning, it obviously was demanded with the prospect of receiving an answer and nothing less. The amount of authority with which this young boy was able to speak didn’t matter; f he expected she would simply do as he said, he was wrong.

"Oh, Ilena," that little voice accompanied the little hand which was still stretched out, still waiting for acceptance, "Were that this was a dream, but it is not. Have you then this assurance, you are not mad, but rather I am." And for a moment, if only that, the brightness in the eyes faded into a dark oblivion, like the moon eclipsing the blood-red fire of a setting sun. The fringes of his very form seemed to fold and curl as though he were a piece of parchment and the same flames licked and caressed him. Long, dark hair, dark clothing, pale skin, sharp teeth that lay behind thin lips, claw like hands, and an air of darkness all passed by so quickly that they too might have been just a phantasm. Then stood there still that little child as if he was still saying words that never touched the chill night air, "This is who I am."

"You have asked many questions this night. Until now, I would have not graced you with an answer, but fate would have a different course, and I am bound to that master if none else," Such a small voice talking about fate as though he knew the entity personally did seem quite absurd, but so sure was he in everything he said that one could not feign even disbelief. A step brought him towards the young woman, this strange child cast like a figure made of ice in the pale moonlight. "Take then my hand, and I will show you the answers. Should they be to you no more than undesirable, I will accept that and return you to what you were," as if grasping through some thick mire, the last saving grace, that hand was extended towards her.

A quick glance cast over the shoulder, as if he were waiting for something or afraid perhaps... But of what? Then his eyes returned to hers and a reflection of the pale, blue moon cast a dark shadow over the golden irises, likened indeed to an eclipse, a passing of time. The night drawing itself ever to a close. Did this creature really fear the light of day? So weak had he been, maybe that was cause to fear, weakness, but when night brought life again? There was in those eyes a pleading. "Say yes," they seemed to beg, "Oh, please, say yes." Sorrow, fear, wonder, they were all bound in those yellow lanterns. His eyebrows drew together ever so slightly and his facial muscles were pulled taut. It was a frown of worry. Delicate little fingers curled in the night. A ghostly breath was exhaled, it even caused a cloud of steam in the chill, and his small jaw began to quiver and chatter in the onslaught of cold. His other hand clenched into a little hist and seemed to be trying to press the warmth that it had caught in its pitiful grasp back into the small frame.

"Quickly," he said almost desperately, "I will explain what you have requested of me, but we must go now, please." His voice almost broke with the strain put on it. It was as if the wait of the world itself lay upon this moment and that choice. "Take the hand," nature itself seemed to be screaming out, "Take it!" Once again it was thrust forward, a little bit closer. And the boy nodded, his light brown hair shaking slightly in its tangled manner. Innocence, encouragement, everything about him was indicative of safety, of calling, of summoning... "Come," his voice was no more than a whisper.

The girl felt completely exposed, small even, as he liberally, and without a doubt absolutely not by accident, voiced her thoughts. She honestly did not know what to think about this, except perhaps sheer amazement for this child. An icy wind, appearing out of nowhere, stole away the warmth that the boy’s amber eyes so generously bathed her in as it violently disheveled her clothes and blonde tresses. Ilena shivered, quickly hugging herself when the piercing cold, harshly brought by that sudden breeze, seemed to chill her to the bone. Her hands harshly stroked her arms, trying to get a bit warmer though not exactly succeeding at the attempt. At that moment, as if a lightning had struck, the boy’s form momentarily changed into that of a much taller, intimidating person. Who possessed peculiarly familiar intense dark eyes. Her own blue ones widened in utter surprise as it happened, the truth that this image, no, not image, but rather revelation, bared to the young woman was a lot more than simply terrifying and thrilling at once. It immediately vanished again before she could really distinguish who this person was, leaving her frozen on her spot before the small boy as if it was nothing but merely the appearing ghost of a memory…

Though the boy did not seem to be taken aback by surprise or to have noticed his own swift transformation at all. Ilena quickly shook her head, closing her eyes in a small attempt at getting some grip at what she had seen just now. A slight attack of dizziness assaulted her mind and body as her brain tried to fathom what had happened in merely fractions of an instance. As the boy -or man, she mentally added- spoke further, pleaded further, certain things slowly started to make a little more sense than before. The power, the incredible lure his gaze had, so easily demanding nothing less than all of her attention for himself, strangely resembled that of another particular person she had met not too long ago. Then there was the way he held himself. A delicate pale hand traveled up her cheek, to slightly massage her temples as a new wave of dizziness and a headache hit her, making her waver slightly on her legs. Could it be? Could it be true that this gentle young boy, who pleadingly stared at her with those unique golden eyes that effortlessly engulfed her with their warmth and invitation, his petite hand still desperately held out for her to accept, in fact was another person? Another person of whom she didn’t think they would meet again, on top of that. How was it possible that someone who obviously possessed this much power could need someone like her? No, a little voice in the back exclaimed, this was enormously ridiculous. She herself was acting ridiculous, her mind scornfully lectured itself. The girl indubitably simply was seeing things.

Still, as her questioning gaze focused on that strange boy again, she could not help but be intrigued by the sincerity of his beseeching. “I…”, she leisurely said, or perhaps muttered, for the first time since he asked her to come with him, her silent tone sounding unsure and hesitant as it trailed off through the heavy presence of night that seemed to have tangled itself through the air. Her pale features distorted in doubt and distrust as she was put before this dilemma. Ilena pensively bit her lower lip, moving her arms and legs a little to somehow get some warmth in this chilly night. Joining a stranger in whatever thing he might be doing without knowing exactly what your part is in that particular something that needs to be done certainly wasn’t a smart move according to her opinion. She shifted her form, slightly advancing a tad closer to the brown haired boy and couldn’t help but be caught up in his eyes again. Yet, she mentally continued to herself, would it truly hurt? After all, he did promise to answer all her questions. This was something she valued highly, as she suspected he probably knew one way or another. The young woman had the feeling this was one of those things that happened once in a lifetime. How could she possibly reject an offer like this; a chance at adventure? Everything she had asked for, a small drop of excitement in her life, lay ready for her to take.

Her form stood rigid and proud as she determined took another step forwards, closing the distance between herself and the boy some more. A small breath, forming a little cloud of vapor in the air, escaped her lips as her figure slightly relaxed a bit. Her hand brushed some wandering strands of hair away from her face. Doubt still misted her eyes as she parted her lips, ready to give an answer. “I will… I shall come with you”, Ilena found herself whispering back, her soft voice only audible to the young boy. Once she had uttered these few words, a new feeling made its appearance inside herself. She would do it; without a single doubt, without a single thought of regret. The young woman slowly stretched her hand; somehow slightly being pushed forward, perhaps supported, by the gentle force of her own words, and carefully laid it in the boy’s delicately extended one.

A smile, a touch of cold fingers, a swirling black, the colors fading, and then the world stopped spinning. The boy still grasped her hand tightly, Skill was still the same distance away, still in the same posture and position he had been a moment before. Nothing at all had changed, except for the location that three now stood in. They were in a small room, a cozy sort of place. The was a massive hearth in which burned a magnificent fire. The stone walls supported bookcases which stretched to the ceiling, which was just too far away to touch if you jumped. Before the fire were set up two, high-backed arm-chairs with obviously old upholstery. A carpet lay beneath the chairs and a table rested between them. The only other significant feature was the large wooden door which hung open to reveal a dark hall with an arched ceiling hanging above it.

The child was still smiling quite warmly and holding her hand when he pulled her away, towards one of the chairs, with the might of a young lad and the gentleness of one who handled a delicate flower. "Please, sit," he was like a warm and excited host, in fact, that is exactly what he was. "Do you mind the smoke of a pipe? Antony does so enjoy a good smoke, and I would not grieve him that after the terrible day he has been put through, yet you are the guest and if it would inconvenience you?" One might have noticed the pipe and tobacco resting upon the little table along side a little, hard-covered book of a green hue. "And would you have something to drink, or eat? You have had as rough a time as any, and I would not allow a guest of mine to suffer for a single second," how he did chatter on in his own way, and how the fire did dance across his yellow eyes, making them shine with the flickering reflection.

The whole place smelled of a sort of dusty must and the residue of a sweet smelling smoke clung, but more overpowering than these was the smell of the wood burning in the fire, pine logs perhaps... It was all dark except for the fire and no sign of electricity or an electrically powered device anywhere about the room or even the hall without. It did all leave an impression of such a medieval nature, and yet it was as cozy as that memory of home that everyone does seem to have.

And he was still holding her hand...

Ilena gazed back at the boy for an instance, then gently let her hand fall out of his grasp as she carefully went to sit on the chair, slightly glancing around to take in all the rarities the room seemed to contain; there were all kinds of things she had never seen in real before. “Oh, I certainly don’t mind the smoke”, she answered, eyeing him slightly nervous, seeing as in fact, like he suggested, she also was really hungry. It had been a long time since Ilena had eaten or drunk something, and although that nagging feeling was something she had gotten more or less used to over the years, it was anything but enjoyable. However, she did not want to force anything just because she felt a bit hungry. Or a lot. “Well... If it does not bother you, something small would be nice.” Her lips faintly parted in amazement as she observed the warm and inviting room, a small content smile gracing her lips, never before had she seen or been in a place such as this one. There was an ocean of difference between this incredibly welcoming chamber and the kind of things she was used to. It gave her a pleasant feeling inside, the coziness this place held. She had to admit though, it unquestionably was an understatement to say that she was unbelievably curious for the answers, in whatever trend those might be, he had promised to give her.

A quick smile flashed onto the child's face and he nodded, or gave a rather shallow bow, and bobbed back up as if some spring had caused him to spring out of any such position. His sharp white teeth gleamed in the firelight and those big eyes shone what seemed to be their own radiant glow. Then the young face was turned to Skill. "Antony, you know I have little taste for conventional foods, and I feel that it has left me somewhat at a loss. What would you say constitutes a 'small' meal for a starving girl?" the question was phrased in a way that made it sound like there was some sort of joke contained within the words but that lay behind one or other of them rather cleverly and eluded pursuit.

Somewhere, deep down the corridor, the ethereal strains of music echoed about the tunnels. It did sound quite far away, and was of the nature that if one chased it, it might just vanish into whatever place it had come from. The music was that of a violin playing slowly but steadily some sad tune that would either have wrenched out the heart or thoroughly brought peace. It was the same ominous bittersweet that greets a traveler who returns home after a long furlough.

The boy's hair whipped about a second after did his head, trailing strangely in the irregular light. Under his breath, yet loud enough that that the other two could still hear the context of the thought, the boy wondered, "She's found the drawing room already?" He glanced down at the leather-bound book held in his hands, which had assuredly not been their a second ago. As he flipped through the heavily yellowed pages, he shook his sandy, dirty hair.

"But the food!" delicate child's hands slammed shut the book which in them was held. "You know what? I'll just run down to the kitchens, and the both of you two imagine the most wonderful meal you could possibly think of in your current states and I'll have the scholar haul them back up along with your answers." With a final nod and a wink to Ilena and a wave indicating the still empty chair for Skill, the small form of the boy passed into the darkened hall. And away he went, in the opposite direction from whence came the music. As he went, his little footsteps echoed down the corridor with that little slap-smack that bear feet make upon stone and a whistle to accompany the violin's morose tune.

She felt her cheeks heathen and quickly glanced away as he immediately saw through her façade. Again. Ilena should have known. She was kind of glad though, when he so hastily dashed away, that way her embarrassment could only be witnessed by Skill. The female tried not to think of the fact that until now he had always seemed to be able to 'guess', she personally didn't believe that could still be called guessing, her thoughts with frightening precision. Although she had no idea about what he had been talking right before he darted off the stairs. And then there was that book. Her mind didn’t even begin to wonder about it. Ilena supposed he’d explain it at some later point, when he would be -finally- giving the answers to all the questions. She truly hoped he would. The young woman skillfully ignored the hunger, as she had done so many times already, while she gazed around the strange room. However, she had to admit that the soothing music helped a lot to achieve that particular goal of not thinking about her protesting stomach and the nausea that came with it. She adored the tune the violin was playing. This incredibly sad string of notes made her gently dream away, remembering past memories that were supposed to have been forgotten. A silent sigh floated through the room, her melancholic gaze lowering to the ground. She should be glad, a tiny voice exclaimed inside herself, to be here in the first place. No room for unwanted memories at all. Where would she be if not here, eh? Besides that, it wasn’t as if she had truly saddening memories to start with. There were many people who had experienced lots and lots worse than her. It wasn’t as if she had lost important things, seeing as she didn’t exactly have something to call important. Except her life, perhaps. A hand casually brushed some strands out of her face as she patiently waited, her eyes not focusing on anything as she wordlessly listened further to the exceedingly beautiful music.

The fire flickered in the hearth, bathing all the room in red's and oranges. It's heat felt good against the cold of the night that had been, and like the cold, the moment was lost, the moment in which Skill was going to tell Ilena all about his power and Sunstream and beg her to join it. Every argument vanished like the smoke that filled the chimney. Then there was a new smoke. This smoke had somewhat of a sweet smell to it; this came after the new fire of a match and the fire of a pipe.

"You better do as he says," he said with a voice that made the comment as much a joke as it was serious. He waved the match out. He saw by her stance that she was nervous and scared. His next words were stated with an underlining of softness, "Don't worry. He might be a monster, but I think you remind him of his dead wife, and if that's the case, nothing can hurt you." he paused for a second "not in a creepy kinda way more the hole girl dying with vampire holding her kinda thing, it probably brought a lot of memory's back for him" he said taking a long pull on the pipe.

Skill knew his words wouldn't be enough, and he wanted to make this child happy, and the only way he could say that was with one simple action. he put his hand on her shoulder and tried to pour every feeling of, "Everything's okay," threw it as he stated those very words.

The man’s well-meant gesture definitely did not help in the least, however. The girl’s head snapped to him as he spoke, eyes widening in shock. “Wait, what!” her now high pitched voice shrieked, a disbelieving sort of expression appearing on her features, “I remind him of his passed away wife?!” This seemed crazy. Incredibly bizarre. First of all, somewhere in her great surprise, her mind managed to see how Skill handed out the truth that this little boy indeed was not who he seemed to be. A ‘monster’, he had said, which would mean that this inviting little kid had to be one of the ‘monsters’ she had met before. If Ilena counted the two she had seen before, the conclusion was more or less simple; Diaes. The young woman didn’t really know what to think about that particular fact. He saved her, not too long ago. Was this the reason why then? Because she reminded him of someone? Ilena took a deep breath, still eyeing Skill rather worried. “I resemble a dead person?” She closed her mouth and sighed, narrowing her eyes as she pensively gazed at the man. Perhaps she had acted impulsively and reckless, leaving like this with strangers. She had no clue about where she was, neither did she know a lot about the other two. Ilena slightly shook her head at herself. Who knows what could happen next? It was a thrilling and concerning thought at once. On the other hand, there was another thing that kind of bothered her, being the slightly stubborn person she was. “Then does that mean I simply have to do whatever he says? I certainly won’t, I warn you already” she spoke, somewhat opposing, while she tried to not think about how she -according to Skill- reminded said vampire of a dead person. It was a little bit frightening, in her opinion. She hoped she wasn’t testing an invisible edge, or something like that, but here words were true: Ilena was not planning to simply obey him as if she was a mindless puppet.

"She never did," the voice which answered contained a hint of a fond smile. The shadowed form stood in the corner behind the hearth, out of the reach of the fire's light. He had that same quality, that height that wasn't substantial, but seemed to stretch taller than you might imagine. The shadows only added to the effect. A flicker of the light shown slightly on a white robe, the red made it appear to be stained with blood, dark and crimson and bright and red, then dried and brown.

The figure stepped into the light delicately, his robe flowing about him. Dark hair hung about the young man's face while the firelight glinted fiercely off of the lid of the platter which rested in his arms. "Why then should you?" he stepped toward the small table, which of a sudden seemed to be a certain deal larger, and laid down the immense silver plate upon the dark wood with a small metallic clank. "It seems the kitchens had quite anticipated our arrival. Forgive me, but you were quite unhelpful, my dear, so I just picked out whatever appealed to the eyes," his voice still contained a bit of a laugh. It was certainly younger, but quite reminiscent of that older and darker tone, And they had yours ready and waiting, Antony." He plucked a plate off of the platter and handed it towards the man.

The plate held a wrapped sandwich which had "Hoagie" printed all over it. Sharp, sharp teeth showed in a broad smile that would have been frightening had the eyes not shone so brightly. Remaining on the platter were numerous pastries and several different salads. Some kind of pasta and bread and sauce were sectioned off by themselves. A selection of meat could be found, cured or cooked in quite a few different ways. There were a few kinds of fish, but not much of that. There was, however, what did look like a plate with a whole squid on it. A bowl of rice sat beside a small saucer of salsa and chips. Then there were the beverages which did line up, wine and other fine alcohols, a pitcher of the purest water, something carbonated which fizzed violently, and something that smelled like apple cider...

"I am sorry if what you desired is not here. Antony could only think of this one thing, and I thought you might be more interested in something slightly more... fulfilling, perhaps. And, since you wouldn't think of food at all, I had to use my own imagination, which has not been devoted to such a cause for many years indeed," the young man turned blacker than black eyes upon the girl, "but I encourage you to eat anything that might look the least bit appetizing. Then, satisfy your body's hunger, while I endeavor to satisfy that of your mind.
Tell me, what do you want to know?" He had walked back until the hearth stopped him, and then slid down to rest upon the floor, his back supported by the warm stones. One leg was bent and he pulled it towards him, making him look younger than before.

“Heh, sorry for the trouble”, she timidly answered, a slight red colour creeping up her cheeks yet again, “however, this is amazing!” The girl bit her lower lip as she watched the large plate, royally covered with an incredible lot of food. “Aw…”, Ilena groaned at all the absolutely delicious looking food on the plate. Her stomach, or inner wolf, as she sometimes called it, suddenly felt very alive and kicking when really pleasant smells reached her. “Thank you, truly, but all this effort…” Eyes widened impressed, her gaze traveling over the many various dishes, she unconsciously licked he lips. She turned her head towards the vampire once more, smiling appreciatively at him, then hungrily, though still gently, tried some of the meat that looked absolutely delightful. She leaned back in the old chair, enjoying the taste immensely. It had been a long time since she had eaten something like this. The young woman guessed she was never given the opportunity to do so, to be honest. Or she simply couldn’t recall that particular moment. Time gradually passed as Ilena gladly ate some of the salad, meat and pastries, trying to taste a bit of everything, until she felt completely satisfied.

A content smile graced her face, she happily sighed. There were no words to describe how good she felt right now; it had been such a long time since she had eaten anything. Hunger is the best sauce, some say, though Ilena personally didn’t believe that. Of course, it drives you to eat about anything there is to eat, but that doesn’t make you like it; however, she was certain this meal was not something her mind would quickly forget. In the good way, that is. Light blue eyes turned towards the still form on the ground now. She frowned slightly, contemplating what she would say. “Well, my questions..”, her voice slowly started, sounding rather silently through the chamber, “first of all; why did I need to come here? And what is the purpose of everything that has happened?” She wasn’t sure if there actually was such a thing, a reason, for the new world that had appeared to her. Perhaps not. However, if there did exist a reason, Ilena would certainly like know. It was true, she had lots of questions that currently floated through her mind, although most of them simply revolved around why she was here in the first place. In the end, she decided to just ask ask two of them. She found that those two were the most important ones, at least in her opinion, at the moment. Curiosity caused her to sit right, her form alert, as she expectantly awaited an answer.

"You needn't be here," those words were quiet and fully laden with an intricate lace of emotional threads, "You chose to trust the child. If you would leave, you have but to tell me and this all will vanish." It was as if the head bent lower and the knee came up to meet it. Whether it was shame or sadness or something else was as impenetrable as the actual meaning behind his actions. "Why," he almost laughed, almost, and turned his face to stare distractedly at the bookcase beside him. A still-born smile lay on his face. It's remnants leaving a haunting corpse upon what was at that moment a terrible visage. "Why?" he repeated it, but this time as if asking the question himself, and this time, there was real anger in his tone.

He tore his gaze away from its far cast depths. As they roamed back to the present time and place, his thoughts seemed to turn in revolution upon one point, her. "You ask then, Dearest Maiden, a question beyond wisdom or knowledge. It is a thing a cannot answer, believe that if I could, I would at least tell you that I kept it concealed for my own reason, but I have nothing to conceal and thus cannot lay it bear." A sigh racked his frame, old, forgetful, and plagued, as sighs often are. And his hair seemed to reposition itself by a small shake of the head so that it did obscure with the extremity of its shadows the length and breadth of his features. About him the flickering and dancing of the light and darkness upon the ground turned all to elegance and slowed as if they did put on their performance for him, a twisting and leaping to calm his soul.

"It makes me sad that I have naught to offer you but the food to fill your stomach, for if these are your questions then my answers are without form and substance and by no means sustaining to you," as he spoke an accent began to become apparent, it was old and elegant and even eloquent, but at the same time it had an earthiness about it that lacked refinement, "On one hand there is simplicity and lack of reason entire except for my own will, and how is a man to answer for his will? Would you know then that this is perhaps the safest place upon this earth of yours? Then I tell you it is, and perhaps the most private place. So have I brought you. We might speak as if in peace, at least a semblance of tranquility will here around us be." His exposition finished, he was once again cast into darkness.

"On the other hand," that same anger, perhaps even hatred was allowed through a rigid control to seep into each syllable, "Whose will shall dictate that of fate itself? It is not me who you should ask reasons of, but that creature called God, for it is he who holds such great mysteries in his hands that not even millennium have explained to me, a blind man groping to find the very light for which you seek." A bitter, bitter smile stretched painfully across his face as the young scholar looked up into the young girl's face. Then he turned away towards the fire, a look of intense disgust overpowering him.

"Forgive me," he gasped, "Let not a fool's pain ruin your happiness. You have so disarmed me and I feel little need to resurrect my barriers and shields against you. It is release after such a long time, I suppose." The last sentence had died down to nothing but a murmur. Slowly, one of his hands reached out towards the fire, a beautiful bit of flame was leaping about and gyrating wildly. As the lad stretched forth his hand, the flame lunged towards it with a biting gesture, but when it met his skin, its teeth left no mark. Instead, it found his breath as he blew on it and sprang instantly to its own defense, dodging and springing back and forth, stealing the oxygen but avoided the gale which would snuff it out. Then, suddenly, with a flick of his wrist, the flame was gone, or rather frozen. Where once fire had danced its ancient patterns across his thin fingers, now there sat a rose. The fire's reds were evident all throughout the petals. Blood burned in it and it was alive.

Delicately, as if it might brake should he move too fast, he handed the rose to her. "You ask of me a reason. Left without recourse, this is all I have to give. Is it enough?" his voice had become soft, softer than the down of a fledgling bird and kind and gentle and the quiet of a man who does not often speak for fear of shattering the air should his words be unfit to walk upon it. And the hair had quite fallen from his face, the revelation being that young visage, marred as it was only by a tiny touch of what might have been cruelty, but then would he have been human if that very flaw was missing? Was he human at all? Perhaps not, but...

Utterly gently, she accepted the rose, almost trembling in amazement. Wide eyes stared at the dark haired man who, like it now abruptly seemed to have become clear, suddenly appeared to be younger, more lively than the few times she had met him. It was strange, very strange. “I… Yes, of course it is enough… Of course… How can it be less than that, after all? How can I simply refuse something”, she gestured to the beautiful, literally flame red rose, “when it is incredible like this here?” Her soft voice fleetingly sounded through the air. Her other hand stretched itself forwards, to the flower, and stroked carefully one of its petals. It was beautiful; not merely beautiful, but truly admirable. The flower itself… She had never seen something like it; when he, Diaes, laid his hand so unexpectedly in the warming hearth, the shock of the occurrence hadn’t completely percolated through. Ilena realized there still was a lot to learn. A whole lot. And although that was an exceedingly soothing something, it also made her waver in her being; what was it that she did now then? Ironically, she herself couldn’t even answer that.

Eyes gazed back at the young man before her. Somewhere inside the girl, a small acute guilty feeling picked at her. It had never been her meaning to make him so… Yes, what was it? Anger, guilt, or perhaps sadness? In spite of that it should be uncomplicated; really, she doesn’t need to, doesn’t have to, be bothered about it. And still. “Well, if I may say another thing”, she started, slightly questioning herself about whether or not it was smart to speak about this again, right now everything seemed to be more or less alright. She would give it a shot; a human can only try, no? Maybe it was just stupid to go on about it. Ah well, she didn’t expect that it would matter at all in the first place. “I do not think that you didn’t answer my questions, to be honest. You are right; indeed, they aren’t answers that contain a real base”, she took a small pause, thinking about how she could phrase this further, “however, and this I have to admit -which is not a bad thing in my opinion- you responded. And that is what counts. Not the fact that it might not be satisfying enough, unlike the food on the table is more than capable of doing; but the simple action, that sometimes apparently is not as simple as it might seem, of answering is enough for me. Truthfully, more than enough.” She frowned, looking away from him. Very carefully, as if it was a passing sigh of the wind, she caressed another time the beautiful rose she firmly, but quite cautiously, held in her pale hand.

A smile seemed to become visible on her lips. The girl was content. She was, outright and plainly, elated to be here. It was true, she still asked herself what it was she was doing here or was expected to do, even though the fact that she was here perhaps was due to the unpredictable will of a man. The will of a man… What is that? Ilena suspected she would probably experience that all by herself. No reason to panic, she decided in herself, although the time she had been given here was something she intended to fully use. Everything stops at a certain point; what she had ‘discovered’ here would stop too. Perhaps not in the way of being destroyed, she doubted that, especially seeing as Diaes certainly wasn’t some mere human, if he was human at all. No, it would be her who would leave. How, she couldn’t know right now. Possibly through death. It was more likely, at least if Ilena followed what she herself imagined what would happen, that she would go away by her own choice. The young woman shook lightly her head; this was exceptionally stupid, thinking about the future when it is so unsure. No, now was the time to live.

It stayed strange, however it more or less was clear that the man who now sat in front of her was everything but human, he seemed at the same time so mortal that she never could have dared to believe that he in reality was completely different. Was he? Once, a long time ago, he had been human as well, just like herself. Ilena suddenly wondered how much of that humanity was left. The person who sat there, who was he, or perhaps better, how and what was he? She realized that there wasn’t much chance she’d ever know. That didn’t matter, a small voice somewhere in her head tenaciously declared, she should be happy to have met someone like him in the first place. Thorough analyses obviously weren’t included. An inaudible sigh passed her lips, was it just her, or did she always make things more difficult than they were in fact? She stared again at the man, giving him one of her rare, real smiles. No need at all for her foolish thoughts. “And, well, I hadn’t really thanked you for this”, she heaved the rose carefully a bit higher, “So… What I’m trying to say is; thank you”, she silently uttered, knowing he could hear her, while uncertainty tainted her voice.

His hand had remained extended, in the same position that it had been in when he had presented her the rose. All through her speech it had remained, as though it waited for something in return perhaps, or maybe he hung it there to signal some sort of action upon her part. Whatever meaning it had, it stayed as if suspended in the air. Darker than dark eyes shone, the snatches of light caught in the lenses of those gleaming orbs and illuminated like a lantern through a dense and clouded night. The glow was as warm as the fire behind him and somehow as dangerous as the reflection off of the eyes of an animal on the prowl in the moment before it lunges upon its prey. The dark and tangled locks which hung over his face even now did not seem so much to remove from sight the visage of that man who did appear at once so young and so ageless. Now, pale skin seemed almost to let off a faint aura when it would fall into darkness, only to be made the normal skin of a man again, without any such special property when the fire's bright tendrils exposed it in detail.

As she finished speaking, the hand curled tightly, as if around the words. He clenched about them fiercely and slowly retracted the fist back towards his face. Held just in front of him, he bent his head down until it rested upon the fist... For a moment, the look he bore was not one of anger or pain or happiness or any of the many human emotions, except just one, the longing of love which is produced by one's separation from the object of emotion. And in that moment, it was as if the barrier had been crushed and he had found release. The others in the room seemed to fade for him, and even the room itself. Perhaps all life had dimmed and become unreal. In that moment it would not have been hard to believe. So was he enthralled.

Then, through the daze of what seemed a sort of rapture his voice could be heard speaking slowly and softly, "I only wish I had more to give for what I have already asked and what more I shall ask that I have not." A deep breath with which he seemed to inhale a good deal of air that even the fire felt somewhat deprived of oxygen for a moment, for it did dim several shades and huddled back in its hearth as if it were shivering or stretching or something of that nature. Then followed a great sigh... And down again into melancholy fell the spirits which did govern that creatures face and with them they took whatever joy did before stir itself upon his features after their long hibernation. As a man awakening, he looked up towards them again, the fire slowly eking out back into its previous roaring state. Several winks and blinks and another sigh did return the countenance of the young scholar to a more neutral state, though it still had that hint of terrible sadness in it.

"Would you, could you live a life where the happenings of the day you have so recently undergone were but commonplace and to be expected and where the life you have lived previously was nothing but a memory? A life where the fantastic are things which are beyond comprehension and what you might have called normal before was as precious and rare a thing as to be in itself exciting. Such a world do I desire to enter you into should you be willing, such a world where you would forever be in danger and yet never once need you fear it. Yet all is your choice, and in the end to force you of all people into anything would be as repugnant to me as it would to lop off one of my own members, "he drew in his breath heavily, "Would you, could you enjoy such a thing? What is it that you want? Adventure? Excitement? A home? They all await you." He pointed at the rose held so sweetly in her hand. "A place more beautiful than that which you hold in your hand, for its wonder will not fade nor grow dim. Is this what you desire?"

A contemplative silence met these questions, however. Clear blue eyes simply stared at the man in front of her, slightly narrowing. The girl sat straighter, her whole body not exactly tensing, but rather becoming more warily than before. Perhaps it was wrong of her to so unappreciatively think this, but over time Ilena had learned that propositions of a great caliber, like this one, certainly weren’t what they might have seemed to be at first. There always was something else behind the intention that wasn’t being voiced out loud. “Well”, she calmly started, pensively frowning at the dark haired man, “I suppose I absolutely needn’t tell you that I would immediately give you your ‘yes’ and leave everything behind. What is there left for me in here, after all? I possess more or less nothing. So, on my account it would improve things for the better, as you have stated; it obviously would change everything in a way I never dared to dream of”, her voice trailed off as she thought further, still carefully holding the rose in both her hands, “however, I do not want to sound ungrateful in the least, but why? Is there, perhaps, something you gain if I were to do it? Why would you offer me such a thing?” She inaudibly sighed, gazing away from the figure. She truly hoped she wasn’t ruining things right now, though at the same time she found it right of herself, seeing as the old ‘city-instinct’, as some named it, slightly kicked in there. She’d absolutely love such a new thing, it was not something she would hide. Ilena guessed he somehow would know of that specific thought.

“Though please, do not get me wrong.. It sounds wonderful, really, perhaps it even is one of those rare chances that some people seem to get in a lifetime. But I apologize if I appear to be rude; it is the way I view such things and that way has kept me out of trouble so far.. Although, if it indeed is true, you will find me happily accepting it, whether or not an unsaid thing is secretly being involved. “ Ilena stopped there, deciding that she had rambled enough already as she turned her gaze towards the man again.

Skill chewed and swallowed the bite ha had taken out of the sandwich. pausing he wiped what food crums where off of his mought, all whail being respectfull of the tense moment sarounding every one.

breathing in calmly he exhaled out his o mouth nly it was more then an exhale it carried with it a word a word that brought memory feeling's thure skill like a geyser. memories of his life of friend'f fight'f of death and life of tears and joy .the word the word he whispered so silently that only the vampires ear's could now it was said as both an statement and a question. It was a statement of who he was of what he was and it was a question in the manner that it ask "tell me if this is your plan"

the word was "Sunstream"

For Skill and Skill alone did that phantom smile flash with its unearthly speed. There and gone in a millisecond's breadth. It was cast over by shadow and the motion was so minuscule that no natural human would be able to see it come and go again, but Skill was not exactly natural, and the vampiric figure that rested against the hearth knew his capabilities. It was a smile that said, "Yes, Sunstream." But it also said, "Mischief is afoot." And as everything was with meaning so it could not have been an accident that it spake also, "My heart is in this, and that bodes well for the those to whom I give care." The smallest of nods accompanied the smile. It was, perhaps, to hide the remnants of the expression from the girl, or to further acknowledge Skill's thoughts.

But that was naught but a figment which passed with incredible speed, and without any change in the young man's demeanor. To Ilena, he only tilted his head, dark hair falling to the side. It was strange, his face was so angular and fierce and yet it was all smooth and despite the cruel, harshness there, it was even what one might call sensual. For it did appeal to the senses, beyond reason or rhyme. The sparkle in that dark eye, the tiny smile that twitched at the edges of his mouth sadly. A sigh and his eyes closed, and when again they opened he allowed the smile to grow as if he had put away the sadness for another time, another place, another moment.

"You really are so much like her," his voice was soft and yet it had that wild twist to it, that sharp quality that reminded one of a sword brandished in a duel, "Yes, it is all true, for I would not speak to you in a direct lie of any sort in the fear that you would see right through me, for your eyes possess the quality shrewdness that the gambler and the politician fear so much." he shook his head, shaggy hair changing from brown to black again as it flung about into and out of the fire's light. "Of course I have some hidden agenda behind all of this. It is part of the human in me, I suppose, but if you will abide my person with patience, then time will reveal to you the answer to the question of what I gain from this matter, for you will be witness," he smiled deeply at that, "Be not disillusioned, you will come to harm along this path, if you choose to take it. At the same time, you experience perhaps the greatest joy you could ever have come to, but I cannot know that in surety or not. You are right to suspect that I only offer you this chance out of selfishness, and perhaps I have only treated you as I have until now for this point, for how I can use you." There it was, that devilish gleam in his eye, the mischief that had been lurking below.

"But were your very thoughts not how indeed you could use me in coming here? What did you have to lose, but then what more could you gain? Or were you just that curious?" the glint and flash of the light as it met his teeth suddenly did reveal the tips and their deadly nature. "We each have our secrets, you and I, and even our friend Antony there," his voice had dropped to a lower and more gravely tone before he rested back against the stone again and all the vileness of the image in him was gone and his voice again was wispy and smooth, "But is that so wrong? You see, don't you? Though I may intend to use you for my purposes, as you intend to use me for yours, we have something, both of us. We have allowed the other to worm their own merry way into our hearts. You did not want to hurt me any more than I wanted to hurt you just now... You were saddened at my sadness." At this he stopped for a moment and just stared at her, tenderness shone all about his face, even though that spark of mischief still burned in his eyes behind it all. Then with a sigh he shook himself. "I talk so much tonight, as if the floodgates had been opened, eh?" He slowly began to lever himself up into a standing position.

“Well, I am not going to ask you to stop doing that, really”, she clearly, though friendly, stated once he had finished speaking, “though I am not demanding that you do so. If you want to talk; talk. If not... That’s alright too.” The girl looked up at him while contemplation seemed to softly sweep over her gaze. Quickly, her hand brushed away some blonde strands that had fallen before her eyes yet again. She sighed irritated, sending an angry glare at those wandering pieces of hair before she focused on the man once more. “Though I never said secrets were bad, in my opinion they make things more interesting”, she continued, her voice gentle and calm, “It was sheer curiosity that caused me to come here, to be honest”, Ilena answered after a small silence, lightly chuckling at herself, “however, as you probably somehow know, the prospect of such a wondrous existence now also plays together with that curiosity. Though it is the same curiosity that will probably, hopefully, give me enough patience to see for myself what it is that you are trying to obtain. I suppose I simply am a nosy person.” It was exactly as she had expected; there indeed was another motive. Of course there was. It always is like that. She was glad she could be sure about that fact now. And all in all it didn’t matter that much. Not yet, at least. On the other hand, the young woman had deliberately let his comparison pass. Only the slightest narrowing of her eyes might have indicated the nature of her thoughts. It also somewhat bothered her how he seemed to be right; indeed, she felt bad when he looked sad. But why was she concerned about whether or not he was saddened anyway? She had never really cared about a lot before, certainly not people. She lowered her gaze as she thought about this, absently raising a hand to rub her temples as annoyance at herself gave her an equally annoying headache.

He had paused, half-bent, while she spoke her piece, perhaps to hide his smile. Now, he extended himself to his full height. "I suppose you are at that," no, for the smile still rested easily on his face. No more pain or uneasiness lurked there as if waiting for a chance to bite or lash out from the shadows. Even at that, the shadows which cast themselves across his face were less pronounced, as if the light pouring from his heart had cast them away. Even the fire in his eyes seemed to burn at a brighter and more amiable pace. He walked past her, and as he did so, he gently patted her head, two taps. Then he moved on, by the table and to the back, or front depending upon your point of view, of the room where the door lay along the wall.

There was, of a sudden, a tall figure there. It was notably feminine, having the curves and structure of a fully grown woman, but it was insubstantial and thrown totally into a black spectrum. The light only served to glint off of the form of that lady of noble bearing and had nothing of an illuminating quality. A few words seemed to escape the young scholar's mouth. At the very least, his lips moved, and what might have been fragments of mumbled words seemed to carry over the sound of the crackling fire through the more quiet air. One might have noticed that the violin music had ceased. Had one really been paying it any mind, one even might have realized that it had been growing steadily louder before it had cut off, as though it the instrument were moving closer as it was played. The final observation, or perhaps the first that would have lead to the former train of thought was that the very musical device in question was grasped in the woman's left hand, along with its bow. The oddity of this was that though she could not be seen at all through the light, the violin could, its rich dark wood glistening and refracting the light ever so slightly.

A consensus was reached, the vampire stretched out his hand and laid it upon the stranger's shoulder. Both heads bowed in a sign of respect and she swept out of the room, almost huffily, and definitely with an astute grace and demeanor. Diaes turned back, still with that small smile of amusement. He shook his head, the hair that stretched down low on his back flowing rather like rain or the water of a fountain being constantly poured out upon itself. His dark, dark coat swept across the floor. The creature had returned in eminence, his stately and distinguished features marred not by the progression of age. He lifted the edge of his long out garments as he resumed the seat opposite the one in which the girl sat.

"Now, My Dear, have you more questions for me? Or else, you are assuredly tired beyond belief, and I should like to introduce you to this new life I propose as soon as is possible. Tomorrow, or the day after I might show you what I have in mind. Although, you are, of course, welcome to stay in my home for as long as you wish," his dark voice contained once again those deep and rich qualities that were ever so much like a symphony of a person's worst fears all coerced and coercing the same person at once, so that it was beautiful and terrible like nothing which has ever been heard. "Bear you in mind that I would be willing to divulge to you what you would know, for in selfishness I would hide you away forever, but being that I can refuse nothing unto you, I would as willingly have you depart this instant should it be your wish. Only, I beg that you indulge me as a host for at least this little while. We are so often left to ourselves, that I have quite forgotten just how much I enjoy company. Moreover, I have been blessed in treating you as a guest and would entreat upon you to endure whatever hospitality you may allow me to give you." He had that earnest look on his face, which, though he was no longer a small boy, did strike a keen resemblance to that little, owl-like face.

The girl tried not to be traumatized by the pats on her head. She tried, really. Her form tensed in the chair, she absentmindedly ran a hand through her blonde hair afterwards. It was something nobody had done before, perhaps didn’t dare to do, seeing as at times she had the vicious potency to gladly return such things in the form of a punch. That was out of the question here of course, and besides that, she didn’t feel the need in the least to carry out an act of payback. A mental snicker made her roll her eyes at herself, while the man was silently discussing something with a strange shadow in the door opening. Even her own mind laughed at her, Ilena noticed with a slight smile, and somehow, she suspected he did as well. Though the girl was curious for what was being said there, she did not endeavor to somehow catch a few words from the seemingly quick conversation. She leaned back, relaxing again. After all, it was only a pat. Didn’t harm anything. Sometimes, she seriously overreacts, Ilena realized.

Her calm eyes turned upon the vampire once he seated himself in front of her, silently listening to his words. It excited her, to ‘meet’ that new start so soon. She lowered her head a little, shutting her eyes close as a frown appeared on her features in a pathetic attempt at ignoring the now pounding headache. However, she straightened her back a little and heaved her head high again, headache or no headache, as his voice had finished speaking. A bitter chuckle fleeted through the air. “Well, you’re right about being tired, I suppose it would be strange if I wasn’t if you take all the recent events into account”, she paused, twirling around a strand of hair, eyes intensely gazing at the one on the opposite side.“However, I would like to know two other things; first of all, what is it you might show me…? And second, why would you want to hide me away? Do you think I want to be imprisoned in a golden cage? No, I am no pet, not at all… If it is to keep me safe from things, although I don’t know why you would want that, I will remind you of this; you, perhaps, can’t die, but what is merely a breath to you, is a whole lifetime to me. After a few years, I’d be gone anyway. So it would be in vain, to keep me here. “ She sighed, scratching her throat as she muttered. “But perhaps I’m completely wrong and has tiredness created a thick veil over my mind.”

Skill moved From wear he had been lean ageist the wall listing to the mortal and th immortal monologuing he stood up as tall as he could he took a final drag on his pipe puffed out the smoke and spoke. "i think i am better equipped to Answer of those question's or at least have Answeres that make seance. I will start with the second question first for it has a shorter anser dont read or question every state meant of Diaes's for you will only find more. As he finished the last sentence he took another phuff on his pipe and then continued "And as to what he will show have you whonded as you have stummbelled on this real of magic and monster's how it has been possibull all this time for it to remain hidden?, he said waiting for an Answer.

“Well, never really thought about how they could have been hidden, to be honest”, she gruffly replied, narrowing her eyes at him, “I just gathered that I simply was not one of the people who know about them and seriously, this is merely the way I am; questioning everything there is to question.” The young woman licked her lips after this slight flood of words. At least, that was what it felt like to her at the moment. Ilena waited a split second, then slowly rose and ultimately stood proudly right as well. She mentally sighed as she noticed how she simply was smaller than the two others. A rapid glance quickly swept over the men before she contemplatively tilted her head towards Skill. “However, go ahead if you want to answer.” It was something she valued greatly, a thing like answers. Truthful answers, that is. Wasn’t it what many seek? Ilena tiredly ruffled a bit through her hair with one hand; an unsuccessful attempt at making it appear less messy. Tiredness was starting to get free reign. Her body felt so incredibly heavy and drained… A haze was already creating itself in her mind as this notably difference made itself apparent. The girl naturally had realized how tired she was some time ago, still it only started to truly hit right now. Though, she pondered wordlessly, answers… Those are more important, of course. Her eyes slightly widened for a second as she momentarily wavered, in reflex quickly grabbing the table. A nervous ‘heh’ passed her mouth, while she, evenly rapid, released the piece of furniture and kept her hands to herself.

"Perhaps answers and questions are for another day?" Diaes stared pointedly at the table where her hand had touched it. His gaze moved slowly to her face. He brought one leg up over the arm of the chair and sort of draped himself across it, as though he were some garment loosely thrown at it. Leaning back, letting his head droop over the other arm, his body relaxed completely, he spoke again in a dreamy sort of way, "We have spent the day and night is upon us. With it comes the herald of oblivion, and to the darkness, he calls you."

Everything started to swirl a bit, growing murky and dark. The only sure thing was the fire in the hearth, burning brightly, if indistinctly. When things again resolved themselves, There was still a chair and a fireplace and a table with food upon it, but the book cases, the other chair, and the definition of the room had gone. It was instead an elaborate bedchamber, with massive draperies and tapestries, and a curtained arch on one side, and I huge door on the other. The giant, four poster bed sat in the center, a small dresser set beside it...

As for the people, there was no person in the chair, but only a large black coat, though not the one that the vampire wore. Skill too had gone. Though steps could be heard ringing down the hall, outside the open door. They were quick, though spaced widely apart. And they brought that pale, dark clad form to the door. He did not enter the room, but stood outside in the shadows, looking thoroughly more comfortable there than he ever had under the lights. "Sleep now," he indicated the bed, "Or if you want for anything, ring the little bell." His arm stretched out until his the extremity of his sharp nail pointed out a little brass bell which sat on the dresser by the bed. "And you shall be attended immediately. Sleep now," he repeated. And then he was gone, the door swung gently closed behind him...

Black stones sped past the solitary shadow at a frightening pace. He was whirled back into that room before the fire like a feather blown in the wind. "Antony," he spoke as he stepped into the space he had occupied before taking the girl away, it seemed almost more like a man casting out an anchor to stop himself sailing away than it did a friend calling out the name of a dear one... A sigh escaped those ever so perfectly red lips, and one spidery thin hand ran through waves of thick dark hair. "Always hope..." his voice was just loud enough for Skill to have heard, "We have much to talk about, but you are undoubtedly tired, and the night still has a few hours left to it. In the day we will go to visit the past." Once again, the tall elegant, black form of a woman appeared in the doorway. The dark eyes turned towards her only to fall away again as the head gave the slightest shake. But instead of retreating as she had before, the woman merely turned her nose up in a haughty gesture and proceeded into the room to sit down upon one of the chairs before the fire. This earned her a small smile from Diaes, if only a small one. "Antony, I'd like to introduce you to our other guest, your would-be murderer," one of the vampires hands waved almost carelessly towards the inky-black shadow which now rested in the chair, pouring itself a cup of tea, "This is Eva." The woman didn't even acknowledge that Diaes had said anything at all, but merely kept preparing herself a little biscuit to go with her tea. She did, however, dart a curious glance at Skill, a frightening, calculating, almost wicked sort of glance which somehow managed to finish off with a look that might have even been apology.

"Yo" skill said doing a slight salute with his pointer and middle finger.

The woman seemed almost to sneer at Skill's response, and went back to her food. Although she did make a slight, strange implicating gesture towards the book which sat on the table with the food. Diaes merely waved his hand in dismissal and she replied by plucking the book up as if it too were some morsel and beginning to flip through the pages.

"Shall I have your room prepared then?" Pleiadies half turned towards Skill as he spoke. He looked distracted at best, with the firelight flickering across his face, jumping and gamboling about like a group of spirits dancing an all too happy dirge over the cold dead corpse that stood there as if it had some claim at life.