forum The Rose and Flame // One On One // Closed // Stalkers Are Hella Cool

Started November 20, 2018 by Deleted user

tune

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(gasp Is he a DARK-WIELDER!?!?! Like Edith??? fangirl squealing)
Her thoughts were cut off as she felt it….or more accurately felt him. Turning towards the door, she closed her eyes and felt him through the wall, the darkness within flowed with a freedom that seemed to be what they both had wanted. Maybe he is as extraordinary as he seems…

She heard him curse ad couldn't stop the smile spreading across her lips. Maybe….not And as if she was hypnotized, she walked back to door and opened it, returning to the living room. She migrated towards Taran, her mind shifting on another path, from the past, to the present. Her present. Taran himself. She gestured to the fire that she was surprised to see lit. "You did that?" she asked thought it was hardly a question. He was a skillful fledgling.

"I think it's time we start training, wasting moonlight now…" She said with a mischievous smirk. This was the distraction they both needed. Her eyes drifted down to the crumbled phone on his stomach and she knew she was right. I wonder if he's upset I turned it off…. Lorelei decided she wasn't going to find out. Turning to the door, she threw it open and crooked a finger at him, tossing her earlier thoughts and concerns to the wind. There would be a time to mourn her former life.

It just wasn't now.

((beams :D I hope you don't mind that I borrowed the idea! I loved it so much!))

Taran shrugged as he followed her out of the door. "It was nothing. A lucky shot." He murmured, praising whatever deity that she hadn't noticed the cracks in the floor and wall from his failed attempts. He reached back behind her to shut the door, his hand brushing her side accidentally. He pulled away quickly, not sure why he felt suddenly uncomfortable that she was so close.

Clearing his throat he turned towards the woods around them and stopped dead. "This–Holy shit. This is what the world looks like?!" He'd never seen anything so beautiful as these woods under the moonlight. Actually, everything looked more alive, more beautiful under this light. He dared a glance at Lorelei. Wow

Lorelei smiled as she watched Taran, his eyes wide like a child's on Christmas. Her brown eyes were dark, almost black in the moonlight, her lips darker, her skin flawless and almost glistening. She was at home; under the moon and in the wild. Her eyes went to his, mischief reflecting in them. "I told you it would get better."

She began to back away from him, farther towards the tree lining. That smirk never left her lips. "Now, let's first test your hunting skills, via tracking…." She slipped towards the darkness of the trees. "Your first objective is to find me. Your second – Use your speed and agility to take me down." She laughed as her form melted in the shadows, those brown eyes flashing purple. "Don't think I'm going easy on you. It's time to find out what you're made of."

Taran watched Lorelei melt into the shadows of the trees. Even though he could see much better than he ever could as a human, he blinked only once and she was gone. "Track you? But…how?" He muttered to the empty space around him. There was so much stimulus out here in the open night. Taran could barely focus on his thought. The gentle wind sounded like a howling storm, the creaking trees sounds like booms of thunder. There was a river somewhere nearby, he couldn't see it but he heard it. He groaned, pushing the heels of his palms into his temples. "Goddammit. Focus. Focus." He forced himself to relax, pushing down his shoulders and slowly, slowly opening his eyes. The world quieted, the scents of the forest dimmed to the back of his mind–

Scent. He took a deep breath through his nose taking in everything around him. There. A lingering ribbon of Lorelei's sweet perfumed skin. Taran took off after it. His body and mind quickly adapting to his new speed. Exhilarating. He smiled. Maybe being a vampire isn't so bad. Lorelei's scent had him taking twists and turns as breakneck speeds, but he could tell by the way her scent clung to the air instead of to the trees or boulders, that she was still on the move.

His power flexed within him stretching out and for once he didn't try to stop it. The shadows of the forest seemed to reached towards him, bending and moving as if enthralled by him. Although they still appeared to be untamed as they shattered branches and cut through the boulders. He cursed, slowing to see what he had just done, when he stepped into a shadow. It was surprisingly warm and comforting, wrapped in the darkness as he was. He could still see the world around him it just appeared different in a way he couldn't yet describe. He took another step and froze.

Lorelei was standing just a bit away, her back to him. She was searching the trees in the opposite direction. Taran ducked behind a tree to his left, silent as could be. How the hell? I was no where near her….unless…? He looked to the shadow still pooled at his feet like a cat. It stretched towards his outstretched palm, sinking into his skin. *Huh. It had teleported him here? Knowing he was looking for her? He grinned. This was going to be fun.

He stepped out from behind the tree, darting to Lorelei's side. "Nice view of the trees you've got Lorelei."

"Mmm…yes. I love being under the moon, hidden within the trees." Her voice echoed, laughter in it. She was obviously enjoying herself.

Her form melted away before him, traveling like fog amidst the air before diffusing. "That was to easy. Try again." She told him. Her lips curled into a smile as she watched him from the shadows. She waited until he saw her. Look at me

And he did. She winked at him and began to run once more. The wind flowed through her hair and she let her laugh carry. Freedom…, that's what she felt. Absolute freedom. No retrains, no chains, no traps… just the forest and the open world before her. She closed her eyes and felt her body release. She winnowed to a new part of the forest, her power unfurling through the forest. She had to fight Taran if she truly wanted to challenge him.

You're much better than I thought, good…. She thought as she closed her eyes and reached out for Taran. She found him and opened her eyes once more, seeing through his eyes. He was already on her trail. She smiled, fangs visible and gleaming. "Come and get me…" she whispered, crouching into a fighting stance.

Taran didn't fight the instincts that seemed to take over in a mere blink of an eye. He was letting go of everything, all the pain and sorrow that had filled his days of late. This was his life now. This speed. This power. This…life. Because how could he be dead and feel like this? How could Lorelei be dead, yet look so free, so unearthly beautiful, so strong? Taran let go of all his humanity, he didn't really need it. Didn't he?

He mimicked Lorelei's stance, giving her a wicked grin. That strange shadowy power unfurling withing him. Challenging her. Come play, Master. But neither of them moved. Two statutes staring each other down, the air between them practically crackling with the intensity. Taran felt his eyes shift and wondered momentarily what color his eyes were shining. Did they match the searing violet of Lorelei's? He was about to ask her, when he saw her shift her position ever so slightly. She was about to strike. He bared his fangs at her, a low growl escaping his lips. He wondered quietly in the back of his mind how she would feel underneath him. Writhing with passion–

"Fuck."

((Oooh Naughty Taran~ giggles))

Red…

The color of fine wine, precious rubies, and beds of scandal and sin…

His eyes were red. They bewitched her as they flashed bright and hungry. If Lorelei were modest she would have blushed. But instead, she strengthened her stance and attacked. A well placed punch to the jaw, followed by a roundhouse kick to the ribs. She stood once more and jumped back, her smile still intact. "I'm glad you can track me in case you get lost, little puppy." she snickered.

"But let us see if your Wolf material…" She licked her canines. She knew they'd share a few bruises tonight, but it was important that he learn what his body was capable of in all aspects. Her eyes ran along his body with something akin to desire glistening in them. All that strength and so many possibilities for- She shook strands of hair from her view and grunted. This was not the time, she reminded herself, for such thoughts.
She focused back on him. "Don't worry, you'll heal nicely."

Taran massaged his jaw where she had punched him, maniacal glee glinting in his ruby eyes. Something about the sharp pain made him want to laugh. He was high on being alive. He loved it. More though, he was impressed by Lorelei's strength and confidence in herself. Her vampiric body was no stranger to her, instead she wielded it like a blade. He only hoped he lived up to her expectations.

"Still hurt like a bitch." Taran laughed as he relaxed his stance, but kept his eyes trained on her. "I feel kind of bad, attacking a little girl." He goaded. His shadows roiled under his skin, ready to strike, but Taran kept them lashed tight to him. He wouldn't lose control and hurt Lorelei. He just wouldn't.

His focus seemed to sharpen as he readied his attack. Her eyes locked onto his subtle movement so he had no choice but to go for it. He feinted coming at her from the left, instead diving for her unprotected legs. Wrapping his arms around the back of her knees, he lifted her only to slam her back down on the ground. He couldn't help the growled laugh that escaped his lips. Pining her hips with his thighs and her arms with his knees, he looked down at her for a moment. She was struggling and paying his face no mind, so she didn't see the dangerous shadow that crossed his eyes.

Oh god– "Lorelei–!" He snapped. The shadows took over, filling him completely. Blood! They screamed, forcing him to lunge for her exposed neck, his fangs glistening in the moonlight.

Lorelei gasped as she hit the ground, choking as the air was knocked out of her. She tried to rise but he pinned her down quick. She fought and struggled for a way out, any signed of escape that was possible, but his hold on her was tight.

She couldn't ignore the pressure that built inside of her with the weight of him crushing her. She loved in a way she'd never admit aloud but something eery ate at the feeling. She could feel it again, his powers seeking hers out, wrapping itself about hers like a snake before the strike. She tensed.

"Lorelei-!" she heard him and snapped her gaze to him to see him lunging for her, fangs protruded and glistening, ready to sink into her flesh. And in moments time, she dissolved beneath him. Rematerializing behind him, she stumbled back on her feet before bracing herself. She locked eyes with him. "This is the moment to work on it. Don't leet it control you, you control it, Taran." She instructed. "I know you hear me Taran. I don't want to have to do it for you." Her being unfurled, her power rising within before spreading. She couldn't shake the fear and dread that rose in her core. She didn't want to hurt him, but she'd be damned if she let him hurt her.

It was taking all of his will just to stay kneeling on the ground and not let that deadly wild force use him to attack her. It hurt. Not like the blows they had been trading, but more like a deep soul crushing hurt. He wanted to howl in pain but kept his teeth clenched. "Goddammit. Just stay away!" He barked at her. He heard her take several steps back, but firmly planted herself within his line of sight. Something like pain flashed in her own eyes, before a look of determination settled over her.

Let us go. The shadows hissed at him. We are not yoursssss, you are ours. Give in. Let us have you. We can truly be free if you let us go, Taran. Blood. Power. It can all be ours.

Taran shook his head. He didn't want that. Didn't really want any of this, but he knew he had to accept it. Become one with his new life. He was holding himself back. That damn human heart. He was so lost. Try as he might this new world was so alien to him. He was hanging on too much to his old life. His humanity. Taran needed to let go. But, he couldn't be just a creature, uncontrolled and wild. Lorelei would surely kill him.

Lorelei. He stared deep into her eyes. She seemed to be saying something to him, but he couldn't hear. What had she said yesterday? That he needed to give it purpose or else it would take over him. Purpose. Right. But what was his purpose? His entire life he had just been "Taran", and now he needed to be something more? Fuck. His entire life he had done nothing but fight for the people he cared about. To protect them. Rebecca used to tease him, saying that he was a big brother to everyone, even her. One man trying to protect the world.

He could do that still right? That's all he knew. Protect. He could protect his family from afar. He could protect himself in this world that was vicious and bloody and violent. He could protect Lorelei as he promised. The shadows calmed. Their wild temper only reflected his inner turmoil. Calmed further still as his settled his resolve. I am a protector. He looked up at his maker, who had come closer while he fought. Something about her was so comforting, gentle, loving. Unlocking his hands from around his sides he reached towards her, yanking her into a rough hug. SOmething he realized he needed desperately.

Burying his head in her short hair he muttered with a small chuckle, "This is so fucked up."

Lorelei stiffened as she was held. It wasn't something that happened very often. But it felt nice, being held in his arms, feeling the need within him. She wrapped her arms around him and buried a hand in his hair. She sighed. "You did it, though." she pointed out to him. "You gave it purpose, my Wolf…" *My protector. She could feel it inside him, the settling. It called to her and wrapped itself about her like a blanket of security. She closed her eyes and let her spirits relish the feeling.

When was the last time she had let someone hold her? When had she stopped fighting and let love wash over her-

She stopped.

Love? This….this wasn't love. Friendship maybe, but not love. It would never be love. Stepping away, she closed her heart to him, she should've never opened it in the first place. "You are such a strong male. As I knew." She smirked, pride dance in her eyes only because she put it on stage. Inside, something retracted. The desire for being with another, she had hidden away so well such a long time ago. It wasn't about to rear it's ugly head now.

"C'mon," she dropped her hands, "Let's go back to the cabin. If we have time tomorrow, we can come back."

Taran frowned, he certainly felt better now that he was settled and calm, but the storm in Lorelei's eyes was concerning. Learning to read her was becoming easier and easier. He wondered if she knew she had a lot of tells. So many secrets, the female has, a shadow whispered into his ear. Beware the ones coming to silence her… He stood, shaking out his limbs as he did so. Taran almost snorted, know that he tamed his power it seemed that he had an abundance of chatty companions now. Oddly, he felt a little tired. Well, mentally exhausted was a more apt description of how he felt. It had been a rough few days.

He cut a glance at Lorelei as they walked. "Are they coming for you?" he asked softly.

Lorelei walked in silence, her arms wrapped about herself to ward off a chill she couldn't really feel. Her mind raced. Taran coped better than she had expected, maybe they could start covering ground tonight. She didn't like sitting duck until the Hunters came for her. But maybe it would be best for Taran.

"Are they coming for you?" he asked, hiss voice so soft in her ears. He must be thinking about the last time he asked a question about her, how she exploded on him like a grenade. She tried not to do the same thing now.

Breathe deep, Lorelei. He cares, that's why he asks… Slowly she looked at him. "Yes, but I've run from them before. It's not very hard. Some of them can even be paid off a time or two. Ya'know vampires are just like humans, greedy and lustful. They'll do just about anything to get their tiny desires…" Lorelei shrugged though she felt as though something had broken inside of her.

But she hardly addressed it, she just kept moving as though on a nature walk, humming softly as she twirled about trees and vines, picking flowers from bushes without a care in the world. Yet, she did care. She wasn't proud of the things she'd done. But they had be done out of necessity and nothing more. Sacrifices had to be made. So what she had to swallow her pride a few times and lay down with a couple of dogs. She was alive, wasn't she?

Wasn't she?

Taran's frown only deepened. He wasn't particularly a fan of how she seemed to be able to brush aside the situation she was in. That they were both in, now that he had unwittingly joined the party. He couldn't ignore the fact that a storm cloud of intense maliciousness seemed to be hovering on the horizon for them. If they were truly in danger, then they needed a plan right? Lorelei had said the crime was regicide for christ's sake. That usually wasn't something some could just run away from.

She looked beautiful as she walked around, as graceful as a ballerina, but there was a hardness to her eyes that Taran could see plain as day. He wasn't going to walk into anything blind, nor was he a runner. Besides, she had lied about committing the crime. So she is innocent. Why isn't she fighting for it? What is stopping her from being free. Or rather, who? Taran's own eyes hardened and flashed red, Lorelei had a history of people hurting her, that he knew and he wasn't going to let it continue. But first…

"Regardless, Lorelei, I think you need to tell me the truth here. All of it." He reached out to gently grasp her wrist as she fluttered past him again. "Whether we like it or not, I'm in this now. I can't help you or protect you if I don't know what I am up against." Trust in me…

Lorelei froze as he held her wrist, her eyes lifting to his. He was still asking about the whole 'what-are-you-running-from' ordeal and she was started to get annoyed. But that annoyance was also starting to turn into admiration. She'd never met someone who had seemed so concerned, not for themselves, but for her.

"You are relentless, Taran. I'll give you that."

The cabin came into view and she jogged the rest of the way, taking two steps at a time up the steps, and onto the porch. She left the door opened for him and walked inside. Her eyes landed on the crack in the ground. She scoffed with surprise. How hadn't she seen that before? Turning to him, she gestured to the crack. "Nice work."

Lorelei knew she was stalling. The look in his eyes told her Taran knew too. Sighing, she sat down on the couch. "It's all a really long, boring story." She stated, running her nail along the couch cushion. Taran's gaze did not ease up. Lorelei gave an exasperated sigh. "Okay…." She couldn't believe she was doing this, speaking the words she'd promised to carry to her grave.

"I was a sap. Naive and young, I lived in a world where rich got richer and poor….well they . Life was dark, disgusting, and painful- but then he showed up. Vincent – He was brave, compassionate, and regal to me. He challenge the rule of the king and showed me that life could be so much better then what we'd been given. He was my savior. I loved him – God, I loved him. Together we ushered in a revolution against the tyranny we lived in. I was his right hand, his counselor, his lover. Life was tough, yes, but with him at my side, it was better. We changed lives for everyone…. but suddenly, that was no longer enough for him…" She looked down at her lap.

"He began to see more fame, more riches, more power. I should've known he was going to reach a power trip…" She fisted her hair in her hands and growled. "Assignments became violent and meaning behind it changed. It wasn't for change anymore, it was recognition. Soon he was taking bribes to kill off nobles and I followed like an idiot. 'It's for the cause, love..' He'd tell me. And I believed him. I didn't look at the people he'd sacrificed, I paid no attention to the real victims he ignored. And then…. one night…he asked me to- to.." she paused. Tears threatened to consumed her whole demeanor, she pushed them away before they ruined her, wiping at the stray tears that managed to escape. Deep breaths she took to calm her ever racing mind.

"He asked me to form a team and assassinate the king. I was against it but he made his way seem so right. I did it, and succeeded to a point. I had no idea he was making me the enemy. The people made him king and he made me his scapegoat…."

And I've been running ever since…

Taran leaned against the wall between the kitchen and the living room, his arms crossed over his chest. His face as still as stone, frozen in a frown that seemed to be his new favorite expression. He didn't know what to think. His shadowy companions whispered within his mind as she spoke, confirming her story and adding their own images of the mayhem and violence Lorelei described. He swallowed, suddenly feeling small in the scope of the things around him. He had entered a realm where he knew nothing. One that was so completely foreign to him it might as well been alien, but Lorelei came from this world and it had turned its back on her without a second thought. That was not right. She deserved more. God, I want to hold her. But he kept his distance, unsure how she would accept his sympathies.

He sighed quietly, pulling a long fingered hand through his tousled hair. "But you're innocent." He stated, taking a step towards her. "If you didn't kill the King before this Vincent, then why run? Why not tell the truth? Prove the truth?"

All valid questions, but a selfish bit of him wondered what this all meant for him. He was Lorelei's fledgling. Somehow he knew that fact meant they were tied together for eternity. If she was caught and executed for her 'crimes'…he would be too.

Lorelei shook her head, her short hair swinging with the action. He just didn’t understand.

“He doesn’t need me anymore. It’s game over for me. I was the sacrificial pawn.” She said through gritted teeth. She hated Vincent with her whole being, but only because she’d loved him first. He had been her beginning and her end. Lorelei clenched her fist with every image that resurfaced. Every touch, every caress, every kiss.

It had all been a lie.

A cruel, blatant, lie. It had all been a trap from the start. By loving her, he had someone to fight his battles and give him a good lay from time to time. And she’d really believed she meant something to him. Lorelei could see him now, built like stone, chiseled to perfect, with long black locks and those eyes…. Red as blood. They had bewitched her for years. And now when she saw them, all she saw was his mocking laughter dancing in them.

“That’s how the game goes… You do you’re part and you get cut. And thus the dominoes fall. One. By. One.“ She growled, slamming her fist on the table, causing a schism in the wood. "And me? I was just a little off kilter…. so I didn't barrel into him when it was my turn to fall. I left as an asset…but if I return, I'm a threat. A threat he could easily get rid of because I'm weak."

There, I said it. "I'm disgusting, pathetic, and weak." She sobbed. Tears blurred her vision as her hands clenched hard, her nails biting into her cold flesh. It was all true. She'd had never been worth the air she breathed. She had never been worthy of Vincent in the first place. She wasn't worthy of Taran right now.

"I should've let the sun devour me."

Taran had moved before he had even realized it. Some deep part of him reacting to his master's pain. Or maybe…maybe it was just him, reacting to the pain of someone he was beginning to care for and admire. He stood before Lorelei, grasping her shoulders and stooping to meet her teary gaze. "You are not weak, Lorelei. You're a survivor." He pulled her into a tight embrace, cupping the back of her head with a large hand. Despite her being small and delicate, he felt the power thrum through her and was proud as hell. His master was not one to back down.

"A fighter. You've survived this long on your own, fighting for what you know is right. Even if it's just your own life." He shifted the tiniest bit, as a shadow outside hissed in displeasure. "You are a threat and threats can be the start of a revolution." Damn where the hell was this monologue coming from? He pulled back to gaze into her eyes again, framing her face with both of his hands and gently wiping her tears. "I promised you I would help you, but I'm not going to help you hide or cower when I know you have more to you than that. I asked the shadows…" He chuckled a bit waiting for her to smile before continuing. "I will help you get your life back. Just like you saved me."

He paused, waiting for all that he said to sink in. He meant it every word, but he left out the selfish part of his speech. That he would help her so that his life would not longer be in danger anymore for just being her fledgling, so he could go home… At least to say goodbye properly. He didn't know if he would leave her side forever, but he just needed that chance.

"Is there anyone you can trust to help us? Because we may be strong as hell." He grinned again. "But there are only two of us and if you think for a second that we can actually turn this shit around, get revenge and restore vampire society to it usual macabre business, shouldn't we do it?"

Redemption is not something you can hid from anymore, Lorelei. I will not let you feel weak or worthless ever again. I swear it.

Why?

Why was she letting him speak? Why was she letting him give her hope? Why did she cling to his every word, like a drowning woman desperate for air? Could they really do it, could they really change the tide of a chase that had gone on for years?

Could she really be free?

Looking into his eyes, she saw an answer; They'd give it everything they had. He was for her, and would never leave. Freedom was possible, as long as she didn't let it slip away. She took a deep breath and removed his hands from her face, though she didn't let them go, in fact, she squeezed them gently.

"I can't believe I'm letting you talk me into this, Taran…." She croaked. "A girl'll believe anything you say when you talk to her like that, vampire or not." She gave him a small smile but it fell away soon after. "Nothing about this is going to be easy. There will be others who are looking for us and even more people that will kill us on sight. You will have to defend yourself, I can't do that for you or we will fail." Her voice turned to stone. Lorelei knew she was being harsh but she had to make him see that once he committed there was no turning back. She had to make herself see that as well.

"There will be some cases where you will have to kill because they will not hesitate to kill you." And I don't think I could bare that…not now. It's too late for boundaries… Almost unbeknownst to her, her core reached out for his, gently caressing him. A fire ignited within her that she fought hard to contain, and it was all for Taran. Brave, strong, loyal Taran. The one to stick by her in her darkest time.

The one who saved me….

She dropped his hands and her gaze all at once. It was too much for her. Too overpowering, the feeling she adopted. And she was afraid of it, it was something she could hardly control and she didn't like that at all. She raised her head but looked past him.

"Are you sure about this?"

It was odd to see her go from gentle affection to stone, and Taran idly wondered what thought tore her so fully from him. He continued to stare at her for a moment trying to read the emotions and thoughts passing through her eyes to no avail. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose and massaging tiny circles into it. Do vampires get headaches? If he thought about this wild situation he was in any longer, he would find a way to convince himself to bolt. No. No, no. He had promised and for some odd reason he had this wild hope that he and Lorelei would make it through. A fool's hope if he ever had one.

"I'm not afraid, Lorelei. I'm a vampire now for godssake. Death should be afraid of me." He managed a small smile as he spoke, not sure where his confidence was coming from, but riding the high as long as he could. "I swore I'd help. You can't make me back down now. That's not who I am." This last part was said with more conviction and strength, simply because the words were truer than the last. He wouldn't back down. This was his life now, his society to fight for and protect. Taran would not be stopped.

He waited until she met his eyes once more. "I'm sure."

"Then you're dumber than I thought." Lorelei cracked a smirked. Taran was such a new and refreshing soul to her, but he would soon learn that heroism counted for nothing in their society. She held up a hand to stop him from speaking. "The sun will be coming up soon, we'll start hunting tomorrow." Looking at Taran, she gave a small smile, something a bit more sincere. Just then, the negatives fell away, and let herself imagine that they would miraculously succeed. "Tell you what, when this is over, and you have a bit more control of yourself…. I'll take you, to see your family." Looking into his eyes, she saw a yearning in them.

To have a family…. Lorelei had certainly forgotten the feeling. But it was fresh to it him, it matter to Taran.

"I promise you."

Taran stared at her for a long moment, mouth open in a soft 'o'. He was surprised she would offer something such as this, considering she had been the one to tell him that this vampiric way was his life now. Brutal and blood soaked, were going to be his main attributes in the near future. Was that something that he could come to terms with? Was that something he could hide from his family if he ever saw them again? Could he smile and hug his mom while the blood of a dead regime dried on his very soul?

He schooled his features, suddenly closing himself off from Lorelei and the world around him. He needed to be cold and callus for this all to work. So be it. He wouldn't return to his old life. Not with Lorelei. Not with his status as a 'damned creature' hung over his head like a dark cloud. He would only return if and when he knew he was worthy to be with them again.

Taran cleared his throat, rubbing a hand through his messy, dirty hair. "That won't be necessary…but thank you." He smiled at her, the motion a bit to stiff to be taken as genuine. "A shower though would be nice."

That was not the response she had hoped for. Lorelei watched as Taran grew stiff, colder even. She gave a shrug. "Well then, alright. Bathroom is down that hall on the right." Lorelei directed, pointing to the hall adjacent to them. "I suggest you keep your clothes dry, I have nothing else to offer you. Clothes wise."

Lorelei moved from beside him to go stand by a window. The moon was disappearing, leaving a lightless sky. The time before them was unclear and there was nothing she could do to reverse it. She would return to the society and make a choice: Stand and fight or lay down and die.

Taran nodded absently as he turned away to trudged down the hall. He knew in his heart that it wasn't particularly right to use Lorelei's predicament as a way to get back to his family, but he had no other options. He'd be hunted down and killed–for real– if he didn't play this game. It was shitty, but this was the hand he had been dealt. Besides, a small, maybe not so small, part of him really did want to make sure that she had a future, a life to live without fear. She deserved that. How he knew after such a brief time knowing her, Taran had no idea, maybe his new shadowy friends provided that feeling.

He sighed gratefully as the hot water appeared to be in working order. Shucking his clothing he dove into the water, shudder after shudder working it's way through him. Even showering felt insane. Taran's entire body melting into the warmth of the water and steam. He could get used to this little nuances.

Was it too late to back down, to just keep running and hiding? Couldn’t she just find someone to take Taran, train him up, and send him to the society. Did she still have the connections to accomplish even that?

With a frustrated growl, Lorelei shut the curtains and stepped away from the window. Taran was looking for her to be some brave female who had the capacity for change, for justice, even if she was guilty of murder. Was she the person he saw her to be? By the gods she wanted to be, it had been so long since someone saw something good in her. Something she couldn’t see herself. Lorelei held her head in her hands, covering her face. How was this going to work? What was she going to do? March back to Vincent, middle finger in the air, but not with an army, no – with a innocent fledgling who hardly knew who or what he was. Laughing, Loreli lifted her eyes in the direction of the bathroom, where the shower ran. Taran was something special, something she had never seen before. So, not for herself, but for him, she’d go along with any haphazard plan.

But, perhaps there was a better way….