makes it home safely from the market, puts the grocery bags on the counter in the kitchen, then sits at the kitchen table staring at_
nothing. She began to shake again, then the tears began to fall.
crosses her arms on the kitchen table, then rests her head on them, letting the sobs come. The horror of her ordeal coming back to her.
Belarus
is
still pretty weak from the lack of blood, feels what little energy she had seeping from her body.
falls asleep at the kitchen table, head down on her arms.
lifts her head from her arms some time later, blinks and realizes she had slept for a long time. Gets up and walks over to the groceries_
on the counter, takes out the steak and spinach, then pus the other items away before preparing her meal.
watches her from her window.
washes the spinach in the sink, trims it then puts the leaves in a steam basket inside a pan of water. She looks at the steak for a moment_
"I am not going outside and lighting the grill." She finds the kitchen matches and walks over to the stove to light the broiler.
smirks to himself. This should be easy.
closes the broiler pan after lighting it, then goes back to the counter to season her steak before cooking it. "I want it_
rare tonight too."
Romania
is
tempted to knock on her door. Play with his food first, perhaps?
trims the steak, then lightly seasons it. She sets it on the broiler pan, then walks over to the stove and bends over to open the broiler_
door and slide the steak in, her gold cross slips out of her collar and dangles down in view.
inwardly curses. Maybe this won't be as easy as he thought...
slides the steak in and stands up, closing the broiler door with her foot. She turns on the heat on the stove top to start the steamer_
for her spinach. "This meal should help my blood."
hums. So she's been having blood problems? Anemia or maybe she's been fed on before....
sets the table, then flips the steak to make sure it's bloody rare. Takes the spinach off the stove when it finishes steaming and puts a_
of the greens on her plate. Next she takes out the steak, still dripping with blood, puts that on the plate and takes it to the table.
Romania
thinks
to himself. Funny that she's eating it that rare....
looks at the pool of blood on the bottom of her plate, mixing in with the spinach. "I need this, after what Alfred did." She cuts into_
into the steak and puts the meat into her mouth.
thinks: Alfred? Hadn't he heard that name before??
finds herself enjoying the extra bloodiness of the steak. She wipes her chin a few times when blood runs down, and even dips forkfuls of_
spinach in the puddle of blood on her plate before putting it in her mouth.
Romania
is
feeling hungrier and hungrier by the moment and really hopes that she finishes soon so he can make his move.
finishes her meal, looking at the remnants. She sips her glass of water, looking around the kitchen. "Clean up the kitchen, then_
finish the laundry so I can return Ludwig's handkerchief to him." Stands up and takes her plate to the sink.
decides to make his move and goes to the door, knocking twice..
drops the plate back into the soapy water, looking toward the door. Dries her hands, makes sure her gold cross is outside her collar, and_
makes her way to the front door, looking through the peephole to see who it is. "Yes? Who is it?" She calls out to him.
"I'm traveling through town. Your house looks very beautiful from the outside, so I thought that I would meet the person who takes care_
_of it."
Belarus
feels
her hackles rise, looks through the peephole again. "Oh, thank you. I'm not feeling well today, this is not a good time to visit._
So sorry, could try tomorrow morning? The gardens look much better in the sunlight."
isn't letting this go. "Please, Miss?"
"No, I really can't. As I said I'm not feeling well right now, and I'm rather tired tonight." Leans her head on the door, hoping he_
takes the hint and leaves.
isn't leaving. "Maybe I could help...?"
remembers what Alfred said about once a vampire is invited in, they can enter at any time and attack. "No, there is nothing you need to do_
I'm just going to sleep soon. I need rest mostly."
"Are you sure?"
"Oh, I am very sure. I am in for the night." pleasegoawaypleasegoawaypleasegoaway she thought to herself, looking through the peephole.
"I may be able to help though."
"I'm a grown woman, I don't need help going to bed sir, thank you for your offer."
Alfred
was
*going* to visit Bela, but sees she already has a visitor, and scowls as he stalks quietly onto her porch.
hears more footsteps on her porch. "Please sir, I don't know you and I would really like you to leave now. I'm not feeling well."
crosses his arms, muttering to himself. "Goddammit."
hears that through the door, her heart begins to race. "He is one, he is!" How many more of these creatures are going to attack_
attack her tonight?
grins scarily, clapping a hand on the other vampire's shoulder and squeezing tightly. "You know, if you're smart, you wont come to this_
place anymore. Got it?"
smirks. "How come?"
eyes get wide when she's Alfred's voice on the other side of the door. She shakes with relief.
's grin only gets wider. "Cause I'll kick your ass into next century."
raises an eyebrow. "Really?"
's grip tightens as well. "Oh, you know it."
sighs. "Is it a fight you're wanting?"
Belarus
is
wondering if she's going to have a vampire fight erupt on her front porch.
shrugs slightly. "Not particularly. I just want you to leave."
crosses his arms. "And if I don't want to leave?"
punches him square in the jaw with his free hand, still grinning. "Then that happens."
Romania
was
....not expecting that, but punches him back.
steps back to lessen the blow, then uses the hand on the other's shoulder to spin him around so he can punch him in the gut.
looks through the peephole, watching what she can of the fight through the tiny opening.
delivers a kick to the other's side.
grunts in response to the hit, pausing for just a moment before he moves to elbow him in the neck.
dodges to the side. "Fine, i'll leave."
*I'll
nods, stepping to the side to let him by.
Belarus
is
still watching through the peephole, feels a huge wave of relief when the stranger agrees to leave. Is going to wait until hes' good and_
one before opening her door for Alfred.
leaves.
sighs, and grins for real now, going to knock on Bela's door. "Hey! Natalia! I'm back!"
unlocks her door and slowly opens it, peeking out. "Hi Alfred, is he gone? He wouldn't take no for an answer!"
turns to scan the area once more, just to make sure, before turning back to her and giving her a thumbs up. "Yep! He's gone now!"
opens her door wider and steps back. "Thank goodness! He kept making excuses to try and get in here." She closes her door once Alfred_
Belarus
is
fully in the house. "How has your day been today?"
shrugs. "Eh, same as always. Watched Mattie to make sure he wasn't eaten, forgot to feed, boring stuff."
"You forgot to feed?" looks into his eyes. "Please you need to keep your strength up, or you won't be able to fight off other vampires."
fidgets a bit at this, looking guilty. "I know, I know, but I just don't like it!"
"I don't like spinach, but it's good for building iron in your blood, so I ate some for supper tonight." sits down on the couch_
"Come, sit down with me."
flops down beside her on the couch, pouting. "But still! I don't wanna do it!"
"I'm in no shape to let you take blood from me again, and it seems vampires are finding me now. I met Yong Soo today."
's eyes widen. "Oh really? And don't worry, I won't take blood from you! I wasn't planning on it!"
takes his hand in hers and squeezes it. "Yes, I went to the market earlier and he attacked me while I was shopping."
frowns at this, squeezes her hand lightly. "Did he take any blood from you?" Inwardly cursing the youngling.
shakes her head, "No, he got close enough to me, then said he could smell you. That's how I knew he was your friend. The first time I_
to escape, I ran from him, and he caught me again. The second time he let me go, but told me don't run, walk, or he would catch me again_
There was another vampire with him, he was shorter, and had a ponytail."
can smell Yong Soo on her now that he's actually paying attention to it. "The guy that was on your porch a couple nights ago?"
Alfred
is
silently thanking his friend for letting Natalia go.
nods, "Yes, that was him! He almost bit me too." Entwines her fingers with his, "I met a demon today. He was part wolf."
Alfred
gives
her hand a squeeze, also smelling the demon as well... maybe he should pay more attention... "Dang Bela, the supernatural is just all over_
you lately!!"
"The demon was really nice, but he doesn't have a good opinon of vampires. He insisted I shouldn't trust any, not even you, and that I_
either leave the city completely, or find a hunter." looks sad at this. "I have met one hunter, but I haven't seen him in a couple of days"
looks at Alfred, "I can trust you Alfred, right? Or is Ivan right?"
sighs, smiling. "Well yeah! And I'm serious about it! Though that's probably what someone trying to trick you would say..." Furrows his_
brow, trying to think of something that could make Bela believe him.
held his hand, looking into his eyes. "I didn't believe you when you said you were a vampire, and you proved me wrong. Is there a way you_
can show me that I can't trust you?"
*can trust you
squirms slightly, trying to figure that out. "Ummm, I...I actually don't know...."
looked down, "Oh." murmurs quietly. "But you know what? You're here next to me, admitted you haven't fed and you haven't even tried_
to attack me. If you have this much control over that urge, then perhaps I can trust you?"
smiles at her, nodding. "I hope you can! I mean, I really don't know what to say without sounding like a creeper vampire or something!
Belarus
gives
him a small smile. "Ivan was very helpful and answered lots of questions for me, but maybe he's not always right?" rubs the inside of his_
hand with her fingers. "He told me to find a hunter, or leave the city. It wasn't safe for me here by myself. After what happened at the_
market and just now on my porch, maybe the demon is right?"
shrugs. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure how much safer another city is gonna be. It'll have its own vampires and demons and stuff."
"really, I don't remember having this problem in the city I used to live in." frowns, "I know I've never wanted to eat meat bloody rare_
before, but that's how I ate it tonight. It tasted good too. I think it's from the blood loss. "
looks at her a little bit like she's crazy. "Well, I've never heard of people doing that to recover...but I guess it works..."
"Okay, this is weird, the vampire is giving me a funny look because I enjoyed the taste of blood." Laughs out loud. "That's funny!"
pouts at this. "No it's not! I just think it's weird!!"
"Don't pout Afred." reaches up and touches his face. "Can I ask you an important question?"
blinks at this and nods, a curious look replacing his pout.
"Tell me honestly, how long will I be able to survive if I stay here?" big, expressive eyes look into his.
Alfred
thinks
on this for a moment, then shakes his head. "Really, it varies a lot. You could only last a few more days, or you could live for several_
more years."
looks down at his hand in hers, feels a sinking feeling. "But eventually, one of them will get me, won't they?" I had three try to attack_
me tonight already."
sighs. "Well, it depends. If you can protect yourself good, then that wont happen anytime soon!"
"Obviously I can't I had two grab me in a grocery store. The only thing that stopped them was one of them smelled you."
pauses at this, an idea forming in his mind. "What if I spent more time with you then? You'd smell more like me, and it might help keep_
the other vampires away!"
blinks and looks up at him. "You wouldn't mind doing that? Do you have to bite me every time, or just be around me?"
grins at her. "I wouldn't mind at all! And I don't think I'd have to bite you! I think I have to at least touch you though..."
looks at his hand in hers. "If this works, I'm willing to try it. Thank you Alfred." lifts his hand to her cheek and holds it there.
can't blush because he doesn't have enough blood in his body, but smiles, looking a bit embarrassed. "You're welcome! I'm just happy to help
!"
"I don't know if we're just postponing the inevitable, but it's worth a try, right?"
nods. "Definately! Besides, you're my friend! And I'm not gonna let you die!"
Belarus
feels
some of the tension felt since she went to the market slip away. kisses the inside of his hand and squeezes it. "I feel much better."
grins, squeezing back. "I'm glad you do!"
"Even if not all the vampires know you, do you think the scent will keep them away. I can't smell what is is, but vampires must have a _
unique scent."
nods in response. "Yeah, and it'll help protect you especially against the weaker vampires!"
looks at him, still hold his hand tight. "Some vampires it won't stop. I hope I don't run into those. The vampire hunters are out_
there too, always killing the vampires they can find."
nods again. "But unfortunately, they'll kill any vampire, it doesn't matter if they're good or not..." Frowns slightly at this.
"The demon, Ivan said there are no good vampires ... so far you haven't hurt me, and if you believe you're good, I can believe it too."
blinks and looks at her for a moment before smiling softly. "Thanks. That means a lot to me."
"You've been like this for about 4 years? But you've had no one to teach you about what you are capable of. What if you do find someone_
who can teach you, do you think you will change?"
geins to frown, but suddenly smiles instead, deciding to stay optimistic. "Of course not! I mean, sure I'll be able to do stuff better, but_
I'll still be a good guy!"
silently prays he's right, leans over and lightly brushes her lips on his cheek. "You will, nothing can change you. You have a very_
strong spirit."
would blush if he had more blood in him, but just ends up looking slightly embarrassed instead. "I-I, w-well, um, thanks!"
"You're welcome. Was it alright that I kissed your cheek?"
laughs lightly, nodding and grinning. "Yeah! definately!!"
"That's good, I don't want to break any rules you may have." Looks at him. "Do you have any rules?"
Alfred
thinks
on this for a moment before he shrugs. "Not really."
"Wow, a life with no rules, no code, and you get to go where ever and kill indiscriminately." Bites her lower lip, thinking about this.
frowns at this. "No. I hate killing. It doesn't matter if I don't have any rules."
"So you don't have to kill everyone you feed off of. Well ... you didn't kill me, so I know that's true."
nods. "I just need to take a little bit. That way they wont die, and I'll at least be a little bit fuller."
"Other than a bite mark ... that still stings I must mention." shows him her thumb, "Is there anything else biting a human does to them?"
looks a bit sheepish as he realizes he forgot to close the wound. "I can help with the stinging if you'll let me! And what do you mean?"
"Your fangs look like a snakes, and some snakes can inject poison into a victim. I thought that might be what caused the stinging." She_
held her thumb up to him.
slowly brings his mouth to her thumb, getting some saliva on his tongue and licking the wound, the liquid sealing the small hole. He then_
looks back up at her. "I don't know, I mean, I guess we can do something like that, but I don't know what it is, or how to do it."
looks at her thumb, relieved it doesn't sting any longer. "Thank you, that was becoming quite irritating. looks up at him for a moment.
"If you do ever figure out everything you're capable of, with your strength ... you will be dangerous.
"
nods, glancing away and rubbing the back of his neck. "Well yeah, but I'll also be able to protect my brother and you better!"
"Your brother? Is he a human or a vampire?"
"He's still a Human, that's why I need to protect him!"
"Oh, has he been attacked? Are you taking on too much, protecting your brother and me?"
shakes his head. "I can handle it! But I do have to say, the both of you are really accident prone!" Pouts slightly.
"If you say so, just promise you'll feed? You can't protect anyone if you don't keep your strength up." She reached up with her hand_
and brushed over the pout with her thumb.
nods. "Fine, I promise." >n>
"Thank you, " she says very softly, then reaches back to hold his hand in hers.
squeezes her hand after a moment. "No problem, Natalia." Still doesn't like feeding though. >n>
"Think about your brother needing your protection."
Alfred
is
silent now, looking away. "....Alright."
"Why do you turn away from me?" cups his chin in her hand and turns his face back to her.
Alfred
is
still frowning. "Because I'm thinking about my brother."
"You love your brother very much."
looks away and nods.
"It's not something to be ashamed of, why do you turn away?"
Alfred
is
silent for a little bit. "I...don't like to talk about it."
nods she understands, and lets the issue drop. She looks at his hand held between hers, and squeezes it.
looks back to their hands, and smiles softly, squeezing her hand back.