forum Blood for One, War for All (1-1, Closed)

Started March 28, 2023 by @Serpentess health_and_safety language

tune

Avdey had ignored his parents warnings. He would hear anyone coming up on him in a 50ft radius, no matter how hard they tried to be silent. It was the nature of his gift. So, of course he knew he was being watched and stalked as he took an afternoon stroll. He tilts his head, focusing on a different sound, the sound of animals rushing through the underbrush. Having been chased away from their home by a stronger clan, most of the Vorozheykina had fled to a new area, only to have found it inhabited as well. ONly to be attacked again.

Avdey had demanded his father tell him what was going on, but his father, standing at about 839 years, had just looked down at him, called him young and foolish and kicked him out of his office. Avdey knew he was young, 19 years to be exact. He was one of the youngest in the clan, and yet one of the strongest, weaker to only his mother and father. And yet he still wasn’t privy to why they were at war with these other vampires.

Avdey cared, because there would be many lives lost on both sides. Already had he seen one of his very distant aunts die and his best friend get torn up from the anger and rage at the other vampires, that he just went on his own and got killed. There was no one to help him.

Avdey shakes his head, darting forward and catching a bird. Biting into nits neck, feeding and then murmuring a thanks to the Gods before setting the dead and drained animal down on the forest floor and digging a hole in just a few seconds, burying it. He sighs and stands, looking down at his arms. “Fucking hell. . .” He growls, irritated at how pale they still were. He would be out hunting and feeding for a while yet.

Merida watched him patiently, noting how relaxed he seemed. He either was oblivious to her presence, or aware and unafraid. It was difficult to tell with these foreigners.

Then, she saw him catch a bird, drain it, and bury it. At least he was respectful to the forest. His reaction to his arms made her curious though. Supposedly, when the foreigners were pale, they were very hungry. If that was true, then that meant a potentially weakened foe. Maybe.

On the other hand, Merida doubted he knew these woods as well as she did. And, if he was hungry, he would need something more to eat than a mere bird. Merida knew where the best hunting grounds were. Maybe a deal could be made, if he didn’t try to attack her. Information for food.

“You know I have every right to kill you, yes? After all, you’re intruding on Forest Blood land,”she commented.

Merida stepped out of her cover, as it was useless now, and leaned against a nearby tree. She crossed her arms and jutted out a hip, standing in a sensual pose without shame.

“And, you’re eating Forest Blood food. In normal circumstances, that alone would be punishable by death. But, right now, I’m more curious about why you’re here. You do seem awfully pale,”she said.

Avdey doesn't even jump at the sound of the woman's voice. He turns, "I was wondering when you'd make and appearance." He flashes a grin, and then pauses, "Oh. . . I am sorry. . . I didn't know. No one will ever tell me anything." He rolls his eyes, "I can leave if you want. I have no longing to be dead at ninteen."

He watched as the 'young' woman appeared, his eyes slightly red and he grins slightly, "I was on a walk, I did not realize how far I had come, again, I am sorry." He looks back to the mound of disturbed earth, "For our people, when we're pale, we're usually starving, yes, but for me, it's different."

Merida wasn’t surprised when he didn’t jump. She’d had a feeling that he was aware of her, and his reaction only confirmed it.

Merida didn’t respond to his first comment, but her eyes narrowed at his next. He didn’t know? Nineteen?

When she saw the redness in his eyes, hers flashed red. It was more like an introductory signal, but it could be inconvenient sometimes.

She continued to listen with narrowed eyes, confusion and curiosity creeping into her stone expression.

“Firstly, how do you not know the borders of the Forest Blood Clan? We’re at war, for fuck’s sake! Two, are you lazy or just fucking dumb to not pay attention to how far you go? Three, what do you mean?”she burst.

Was he starving? Or was he just different? Who was he? Was he a spy? An assassin? She needed to slow the questions in her head before it drove her crazy. His casual demeanor was doing that anyway.

Avdey shrugs, “I’m not allowed on the battle fields, nor am I privy to my father’s war meetings. I’m too important to fight, but not important enough to know anything.” He shrugs.

He frowns slightly, “Look, if I don’t know the borders, how can I know how far to go? And I’ll do almost anything to get away from the tension that. Is home right now.”

He tilts his head, “I have anger management issues, and we can control out bloodlust by remaining calm and our emotions in check. With my anger management. . . My bloodlust gets out of control, so I go on walks to get away from people, feed and all down. ’And the fact I can’t do anything pisses me off.”

(Sorry again!)

My father’s war meetings.

This youth was the heir. The ‘prince’. And, he was out? Either his father was horrible, or he was downright incompetent.

Merida sighed at his next comment.

“Is your clan so idiotic that they can’t even keep track of borders?”

“Nevermind. I don’t want to know. But, I do understand the tension. Sometimes I hate being part of this clan,”she added.

Merida hummed at his explanation. Anger issues, huh? She could use that to her advantage if she needed to.

“I see. Well… I’ll make you a deal. I’ll show you a ripe hunting ground outside of Forest Blood borders, if you’ll keep the conversation going. I’m a bit of a loner in the clan, and it can be lonely sometimes,”Merida offered. It was a subtle way to possibly gain more information as well, but he didn’t need to know that.

(It’s fine)

“No, they can, I just. . .” He shrugs, “I never care to listen.” He rolls his eyes, “It’s not a straight line from point A to point B due to the skirmishes on the borders. It’s a zigzagging, very snuggly line, so, I don’t pay attention if they try to tell. Which I’m sure they do plenty, but like I said, I don’t care.”

Avdey shrugs, “I just hate that they treat me as if I’m so special one moment and then the next like I’m nothing.” He lets out an angered hiss, “They can’t have it both ways, treating my like a Prince one moment then nothing but a swear rat the next.”

Avdey watches her, “I may have anger issues, but that does not mean I can not keep secrets.” He tilts his head slightly, “You can show me, but I may forget. Also, I don’t do human blood.”

(Sorry!)

Merida rolled her eyes at his words, not bothering to comment. Apparently the clan wasn’t idiotic, he was.

“Then make it known to them. Either be a rat or be a Prince. Waiting for the Clan to acknowledge you will only result in them discarding you,”she replied.

Merida snorted,”I don’t really care if you can keep a secret or not. Frankly, I’m more interested in learning ‘secrets’ for my own sake than spying for my Clan.”

“A pity,”she replied disdainfully.

Merida headed off toward the hunting grounds. It was deeper in the forest, away from both the clans and civilization. Which was why it was so rich with blood-filled creatures. Few went deep enough in the forest to find it.

Avdey shrugs, “I don’t think Id’ mind that. Then, I would not have to live this life. I would be able to live my own life, would I not?”

“Still, why would I spew the secrets to you? Even if you wish to keep them to yourself and not share them with your clan.” He shifts his weight, looking at Merida for a moment before looking forward.

“A pity that I don’t drink human blood often?” He tilts his head slightly, turning his gaze back to her.