Tajmesa slowly opened her eyes, blinking against the early morning light that was just beginning to rise. The sounds of a scuffle had woken her up and she peered out the opening of her tent, watching with no small amount of interest. She had heard about vampire, of course, in her travels, but had yet to meet one. A voice in her head kept insisting that she ought to be finding the larger pendragon terrifying rather than fascinating, but she squashed it thoroughly. After all, he'd rather have pigs blood she mused to herself. She held her silence as he fed and disposed of the leftovers. Once he began to write in his journal yet again, she carefully slipped back into her tent. Taking a few minutes to work out all the kinks in her joints, she stretched one final time, before exiting the tent. Good morning. Her words were cheerful, but her tone doubtful. He'd hardly been the friendliest of souls to begin with.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> He looked at her. His face devoid of all emotions but one could clearly see the tears trails. He shook his head. "No morning I wake to is a good morning." He stood again and put the journal back in his pocket and made a note in his mind that he needed another journal. This one was getting full. He walked along the bank quietly and stopped at an over cropping of rocks. He leaned over the top of them and looked down. "Not enough sharp rocks." He looked into the sky and the sun started shining vibrantly. He turned and slowly started to walk into the shadows. He walked along the bank some more and then into the forested area. The senses overwhelmed him. He could hear all the life in the forest and smell all the blood. He could tell they all ignored his presence. He sauntered his way into the forest and then sat on an ugly looking root. He watched the little ant-like creatures run around his feet. "Such a life you lead. So dutiful. So precise. Is that all there is to your little life. Work and sleep. Oh what a life you lead." His ears purked up and he took out his journal and wrote the very things he just spoke. He smiled. He gazed fondly at the book in his hands and the words on the cover. "Vell iyoj gugaj fesh sha rjaushemdt yv iyoj haujs." He shook his head side to side slowly "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. I am glad he taught me that much ramathian before he died. Oh master... How is the afterlife? He leaned back on the root and closed his eyes. His breathing and pulse died as he fell to the ground. </span></span></span>
Curiousity had forced her to follow him, though she kept a healthy distance considering that she was seriously starting to wonder about his sanity. She blinked a few times as he seemed to be speaking to the ground He really was quite...odd. And she had seen a lot. A sharp gasp escaped her as he unexpectedly collapsed to the forest floor and without a second thought, she rushed forward, falling into her anthro form to reach him more quickly. Skidding to a halt at his side, she carefully nudged him with her muzzle. I might not know much about vampires, but that can't be good for anyone
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas's body didnt move. The forest around him seemed to slow to a halt and watch. Whispers were heard through the forest. Is it dead yet? Does the beast live? Why isnt it ash? The ground around Lucas started to give way and the earth started to take his body. </span></span></span>
Tajmesa yelped as the ground beneath the both of them shook. Is all the ground here just one giant sinkhole!?? Moving quickly, she stepped back before ramming her body into his, her weight just barely forcing him off of the insecure ground. She didn't stop there, but continued to ram into him, shoving him away from the spot as best she could. If'd I'd the slightest bit of common sense, I'd leave the surly porcupine and save my own tail she growled to herself. Finally several feet away from spot where the ground had shifted, she paused, whirling around to watch the earth, a low growl coming non stop from her throat. The cut on her leg had been reopened during her efforts and blood ran down her leg, slow and thick. She became uncomfortably aware of a presense that sounded almost like voices, echoing through the trees and her ears flattened to her head as she backed up, standing over Lucas in a protective gesture. Her eyes flashed bright green as she glared up at the treetops. I don't know what you are but this is enough! she yelled, adreniline rushing through her veins, forcing her to forget her fear. Fear and it's side effects would come later. Right now, strength was needed.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'>The voices didnt stop their collective speech. We must rid the earth of demons...this forest needs him... The wvines from the trees wrapped around Lucas' body and serrated his flesh to ribbons while raising his body up into the air. </span></span></span>
Tajmesa watched in horror at the spectacle before her. Eventually she became vaguely aware of a low keening sound and realized it was the sound of her own whimpers. The fur on the back of her neck stood up straight What do you want with him? she asked, forcing her voice not to shake. A nearby vine crept towards her paw in an inquisitive manner and she snapped at it, growling fiercley, before turning her attention back to Lucas. Every instinct within her said to run but she was rooted to the spot by something even stronger. Suddenly, she bolted forward, startled by her own actions even as she snapped at the vines that held him up, tearing at them with her sharp teeth. Then thought left her as she tore at the plant, her body running purely on autopilot. It was almost like watching herself from outside her body, as she avoided the vines that attempted to knock her away or ensnare her, sinking her teeth into them as often as she could.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> The vines let Lucas' body go. Why save this demon? His energy will help this forest! Lucas eyes opened and they were black. Not their normal swirling blue. His lips started moving but not words or breath were seen or heard. His body started jerking. STOP HIM! The vines started to shoot at him and they were blown to bits. He shrieked and the entire forest quieted. No sounds were heard. </span></span></span>
Tajmesa wrinkled her brow at what the voices said Why not save him? Besides, why should I trust you any more than I do him? In my experience, attacking plants aren't good things! She lept back as his body started to shake, uncertain of what to do next. She was vaguely aware of the shrieking voices, but her eyes were fixed on him. His lips moved and she stepped forward, trying to make out what he was doing. So intent on his face, she completely missed the thick, gnarled vine that shot towards her. Impaling her left shoulder, it pulled her in before hurling her across the clearing. She landed hard on her side, her vision swimming. Weakly, she fought to keep her eyes open, looking for the other pendragon. She would never know if it had been her imagination or not, but for a moment, he seemed almost to have large, dark wings. The light behind him sillohetted his figure and her breath caught in her throat. Angel? she murmured, before giving into the growing darkness.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> The magic died down and the chants stopped. Day 15 Mia, 81379 Lucas sat up and looked around. A blood trail on the ground led away from him. He got to his knees and crawled along the blood path. He found the female pendragon and grabbed her wrist because he couldnt hear anything. Then his eyes closed again and he lay spralled holding her hand. </span></span></span>
With an inaudible groan, she opened her eyes, immediately fighting back the nausea that overtook her. Once her stomach was under control, she carefully lifted her head, the motion sending waves of pain through her body, threatening to drag her back into unconsciousness. Bits and fragments of the night before came to her and she would have stiffened if she hadn't been so exhausted. Finally, she twisted her head to inspect her shoulder. The wound was raw, blood slowly oozing out, though not in deadly amounts. ' Infection' the back of her mind whispered. She pushed away that voice. She still had time to clean out and dress the wound and with any luck, the most she would have was a slight fever. Unfortunately, that would require getting up she murmered to herself. She shifted, about to bring her other hand up for further inspection, when she realized that it was restrained. Slowly turning so as to not jar her shoulder again, she bit back a gasp at the larger pendragon laying beside her. He looks awful She looked at their joined hands and smiled slightly. You're just full of surprises, aren't you? Carefully, she slid over towards him and resettled herself, cradling his head on her uninjured arm. Glancing up at the sky once more, she grinned at no one in particular, before shaking her head. It's not like I have anywhere to be. I'll wait and see what happens.
<span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'><span style='font-family:Geneva'> Lucas groan and gripped harder to her hand. He bent into her and whined. He snuggled up to her and he finally felt warm. He opened his eyes and noticed the female. He shrieked and jumped up trying to run and he was still gripping her hand and he fell back. He looked at the intwining hands and shook his hand up and down trying to get it his hand off hers. He couldnt. It was like their hands were glued. He groaned and flopped down on the ground like dead weight. "...sorry..." </span></span></span>
Taj had been half dozing herself, just barely aware of his movements until he lept back, dragging her body with him. She yelled as pain shot through her opposite shoulder, protesting the sudden movment. She barely bit back the urge to lash out at whatever had caused the pain, her mind registering the reason just in time. By the time the throbbing had died down, he was lying back down next to her. She held back the sharp retort that rose to her lips, instead choosing to curl around herself. Her actions, combined with their joined hands forced her closer to him, but she didn't care. From this angle, her shoulder didn't hurt so much. It's fine. she forced out, half trying to convince herself. Just please, no more sudden movements. She took a few more deep breaths, before raising her eyes to look him over. He was a mess, at least ten times more hurt than she was. Lacerations, welts and bruises covered his body and the way he held himself, one would have thought he carried the weight of the world. She squeezed his hand again, partially to reassure him and partially to show herself that she did still have some control over her own body. Are you alright?
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas shook his head slowly and lifted his hand and tried to shake her hand off his again to no avail. He groaned. "I am very uncomfortable..." He slowly rotated her until he was spooning her and then he wrapped his arms around her. He breathed into her shoulder and whispered healing into her. It was a cool heat on her shoulder. He licked it lightly. "Does that feel better?" </span></span></span>
Taj nodded sleepily. The words he had used weren't familiar, but she could feel the pain fade from her body and the fever that had been beginning died down. She curled in close to the pendragon behind her, for the moment not caring that she knew next to nothing about him, not even his name. For a moment she half wondered if the previous evening had all just been a dream, but then that didn't explain why he was still here, so it must have really happened. A hundred different questions ran through her mind, but at the moment, she couldn't be bothered with any of them. He simply felt nice at her back. Thank you. Her eyes lazily traced down to their joined hands and she studied them, a slightly puzzled expression on her face. She twisted slightly to look at him. It's stuck. she stated. Her tone wasn't accusing, simply stating a fact and she watched his face with an amused expression, waiting for his response.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas smiled and looked at the back of her head. "Your welcome." He just laid there for a while and waited until she was ready. Lucas closed his eyes and breathed quietly below a whisper. Lucas... He smelt her blood and felt her heart beat. It was killing him. He nuzzeled closer to his neck and he moaned. </span></span></span>
The more reasonable half of Tajamesas' mind was puzzled. Here she was, curled up next to a self proclaimed vampire, and she was content? Finally, reason gave up, throwing it's hands into the air with disgust and stalking off,leaving her to simply enjoy the moment. A gentle warmth spread through her body and something in his tone should have warned her that something irreversible was about to happen. She lazily pursued that thought for a moment before simply coming to the conclusion that she didn't care. Something about this cross, angry, sad pendragon called to her. Why else stay despite the verbal abuse and scorn? Lucas. she stated simply, testing out the name. She murmered it once more, before settling into silence. At his moan, she smiled slightly, not quite aware of what she was doing, but it didn't seem to matter. Her body knew. Stretching in his arms, she arched her back slightly, moaning lowly at the wonderful feeling of unused muscles being called back to life. Her movements tilted her head back, baring her neck to him, the gesture trusting and inviting all at once. She knew all about mating and such. One didn't travel as much as she had without running across the subject. But somehow, she felt that this was something completely different. She wasn't quite sure what she asked for, but she did know that she wanted it.
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> Lucas inhaled her scent and groaned. He pushed his forehead against her shoulder and whined. "I cant... You are food but I cant kill someone else." He stood and he hands finally released. He limped away in search of more food. He whimpered. "Why? Why am I hungry again, damnit?" He punched his paw into a tree and dropped to the ground and curled into a little ball. He started whimpering. </span></span></span>
Tajamesa stood, following slowly after him. She shook her head as he hit the tree, before reaching down and placing a hand on his shoulder. It'll be alright. Just please, don't run away? (( OOC: Yes, I know it's short. I had a twelve hour day, have a manager to kill, and have a headache that will probably kill me ))
<span style='font-family:Geneva'><span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%'><span style='color:blue'> I dont run...I walk briskly... Lucas looked at the tree his eyes clear, his ears hearing her heart beat, his mouth tasting her blood, tho he has not had a taste. He looked at her. His mouth opened slightly. I need to tell her the truth...scare her away... He whispered "Ever since I saw you, I smelt you! I felt your heart beat in my throat. I wanted to rip your neck out and drink you dry. Ever since you walked to me I have wanted nothing more then to feast on your corpse...Yet you persue me. You are foolish. Run from me and save your life or you are condemned to die by my hands. Or find me other food to feast upon. Your call. </span></span></span>
