Lover

[CJF]

Trista sat at the window, and stared out into the darkness. She felt drained and exauhsted, but knew she wouldn't be able to sleep. Not now. For years she'd been unable to sleep at night, due to her memories of the man she loved; the man who'd left her without any explanation. Tonight was different, because he was suddenly back. Brennan was back. And she was going to see him again.

She didn't even try to stop the tears that flowed. She didn't even care that there was a woman who hated her and had threatened her life. None of that mattered now. She felt her heart overflow with joy at merely the thought of Brennan being back in her life. Granted he was a vampire placed in a very awkward situation, but Trista was too happy to care. He was back. He really was back!

Thoughts raced through her mind as she went over their meeting that night. Had it really happened? Yes. It hadn't been bearly long enough for her, for with all of the questions she was sure he had, she had a few herself. Where had he been all those years? Why had he left? Was it because he'd been bit? Had her really not thought her capable of loving him for something that wasn't even his fault? The more she thought about it, the more it made sense; him getting bit, writing the letter and leaving, all of it. It was speculation, of course, but it fit.

After a short while, she wiped her tears and layed onto the soft bed. She layed on her back, and stared at the ceiling. The fires orange glow danced across the room, causing Trista to smile. As much as she wanted to stay awake and wait for him, she just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. Besides, she had no assurance that he would come that night, and if Eve's temper was any indication, she wouldn't be surprised if it took him a week to get away. He'll come soon enough. she thought, as she rolled onto her side. Within minutes she was asleep.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir was at a loss. Every word she spoke seemed to cut into him like a blade. It was true. He didn't know. In truth he hadn't even thought about it. He was the one that left Tristessa, right? But why? He'd always assumed from the way Tristessa acted that he had been in the wrong. Now, he wasn't so sure. Maybe she had kicked him out. He swallowed hard, letting his eyes leave Eve's, watching instead her fist beat against the wooden floor, her knuckles white.

Had he been fooled? Tricked? Would Tristessa do that to him? He couldn't know for sure. He only had one memory of her and it had been before he got bit. How did he know the circumstances of his leaving?

Frustrated now, himself, Samir let out a growl and pushed himself up off the floor, lashing out at the first thing his eyes caught sight of which happened to be a candelabra sitting on a stand next to the door. It wasn't lit and for that he was grateful as he picked it up and hurled it across the room. It hit the wall with a clang and then clattered to the floor. Breathing hard, Samir leaned back against the wall, his hands clenched in fists. "I don't know, Eve!" He shouted, not looking at her. "I don't know! I don't know anything! I didn't ask for this!" He slammed his right fist on the wall behind him. "You think I wanted this to happen!? No! I came here on a mission! I came here to help you! And may the gods strike me dead if I don't complete that mission!"

He swore loudly. Calm down, Samir. You can't change anything by getting upset. He ran his hands down his face and slid down the wall into a sitting position, his feet flat on the floor and his knees bent. He rested his elbows on his knees and smoothed back some strands of pitch-black hair that had come out of his usually neat ponytail at the nape of his neck. They fell into his face again, but he ignored them. "I am just as confused about this as you are, Eve. More probably." He said, calmer this time. He chanced a look over at her. "Tell me what you want me to do." Then, as if reading her thoughts, he added, "I won't kill Tristessa. It's not her fault I came back." He sighed, closed his eyes and lowered his head, folding his hands on the back of his neck, his elbows still resting on his knees. Everything was so messed up. He wasn't sure if it would ever be the same.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve was shocked when Samir threw the glass against the wall, but even more so when he yelled at her. Granted, she doubted it was directly at her, but it still surprised her nonetheless. She was used to her own outburst, it had been that way all her life, but she wasn't used to his. However, the situation showed her something she was just starting to realize. This place, this cursed, god awful place, wasn't just destroying her, but him as well. It wasn't just her that had nightmarish memories here anymore; he had them, too.

And in a way, as Eve stood watching him, she felt sorry for him. Eve only assumed without a past to remember there was no past to haunt you, but that wasn't always the case. His past was haunting him just as much as her past was haunting her, despite the fact she remembered every detail and he knew nothing. She took a step closer as Samir slid down against the wall into a sitting position. But she stopped short when he suddenly looked at her.

"Tell me what you want me to do. I won't kill Tristessa. It's not her fault I came back." Then he leaned forward, covering his face in between his arms, and placing his hands on the back of his neck. He wasn't really looking for her to respond to his last statement. Eve knew that. But at least now she knew the elf maiden's name.

Cautiously she moved forward and knelt next to him. Eve licked her lips then brought her hand up to his head before hesitating and pulling back, giving a slight nibble on her fingernail. Then she reached out again, this time running her fingers through his dark hair. She accidentally hit his tie, and it fell, releasing the last bit of hair that was tied back over his hands and draping over his face like a black veil. Slowly she leaned in, burying her face in the back of his head, continuing to play in his hair with her fingers.

Eve shifted and moved her face to his hands at the back of his neck, studying them as though truly seeing them for the first time. She couldn't help but softly run a finger over his skin, feeling how rough and strong his hands were. Then she leaned further down, closing her eyes, and resting her lips on his fingers. Her mouth open and she sighed softly...

...then paused. She couldn't be angry with him, not now anyway. Her heart just wouldn't let her. But she could still be selfish, and right now she didn't want her vampire going anywhere near that elf. However, her feelings weren't going to stop him, and she knew that.

She pulled back and stood, opening her eyes. She stared down at him for a second before turning around and making her way to the stairs. Quietly she walked up to the loft and closed the door behind her.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir felt her hand against his head and he was startled. He couldn't see her face. Was she still angry? Was she going to start hitting him? But then her fingers softy brushed against his scalp, catching the leather band that held his hair back and accidentally causing it to break free, his hair cascading around his face. He felt her head against the back of his, felt the heat from her body kneeling next to him, felt her breath catch the collar of his shirt as she sighed. She didn't say anything and she didn't need to. He knew she forgave him, at least partially.

Goosebumps appeared on his arms as she stroked his fingers, and he had the sudden urge to sit up and take her in his arms, bury his face in her hair and make her promise never to scare him like that again. But he forced himself to stay still. His skin tingled as her lips brushed against his fingers and then she pulled away. He allowed himself to raise his head now and watched her take a step back from him. The black eyes met the blue for a fraction of a second before she turned and walked upstairs. He let her go and gave a great sigh himself, running his hand through his now-loose shoulder length hair. He ruffled it some and grunted, standing and walking into the kitchen. Samir hoped this farmer had been a drinking man because right now......he sure needed a drink.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

An hour later Eve still hadn't been able to get to sleep. She laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling, her right arm draping over her forehead. The light from the moon cascaded across the lumpy mattress, reflecting off her white skin. There were way too many thoughts going through her mind right now she could hardly focus on just one. In fact she was convinced now that it was impossible. To make matters worse (or better, she wasn't sure of that either) she hadn't heard any noise from Samir. A sudden fear struck her that maybe he had gone out to visit that elf again.

Quickly she sat up, biting her bottom lip. But no, he wouldn't do that. Would he? Of course not. But maybe...No, no, no. However, he was still a man. Oh shut up!

Eve slowly got up out of the mattress and went to the door, swinging it open. She hesitated at the top of the stairs, listening. She couldn't hear anything. Maybe he was sleeping. But just to make sure Eve walked down the stairs and peeked into the main room. He wasn't there. Then she moved into the kitchen.

She stopped short at the entrance, truly not expecting to see Samir there. But he was, standing next to the table, a bottle of alcohol in his hand. Eve stared at him, thinking. She hadn't gotten that far in her thinking yet. At first she just wanted to see if he was there, but now that he was, what was she supposed to say? Clearing her throat, Eve walked to him, grabbed the bottle out of his hand, and turned to get a cup. As she started to pour it, she paused, set the cup down, and took a huge gulp from the bottle.

It burned on her throat as it traveled down, and Eve took it away from her mouth, wincing slightly. She sighed and set the bottle down then turned to face Samir.

"All right," Eve began. "Tell me about this dream."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir truly thought he wasn't going to see Eve for the rest of the night. He had just taken another gulp of whiskey when he heard movement behind him. He turned slightly to see Eve walking towards him. She tugged the bottle of whiskey from his hand and made to pour some into a cup, thought better of it, and simply took a swig from the bottle as he had done. Even in his surprise to see her, he had to suppress a grin. So, they both needed a drink after all that then.

She placed the bottle between them. "All right. Tell me about this dream."

Samir blinked and immediately didn't feel the urge to smile anymore. Okay, maybe that was the reason she had needed that drink. He sat down, straddling a chair backwards, resting his arms on the back of the chair. He didn't think this was such a good idea, her asking him about his dream. "I don't think you want to know, Eve. Honestly." He shook his head. The alcohol had calmed his nerves somewhat, but he wasn't drunk. It took a lot for him to get drunk. A lot more than humans. He figured it was because he was a vampire. In the same way that food didn't provide sustenance anymore, alcohol didn't have much affect on him anymore either. He reached out and grabbed the bottle, taking a gulp. It seared his throat and warmed his chest as it went down. He set the bottle back down and ran a hand through his hair, looking back up at Eve.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

So, he was going to play that game was he? Eve was beginning to wonder exactly what happened in this "dream". She had to remind herself that it wasn't a dream, it had really happened. Maybe she didn't want to know. However, curiosity won, at it usually did.

"No, I do," Eve said, taking a chair next to him and sitting down. "Please, Samir"-she took the bottle from him again, cradling it between her legs-"tell me."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir stared at her for a long moment. Why did she want to know? So she could yell at him again? Maybe throw another leather strap at him and this time hit him?

He finally nodded. "All right." He had nothing to lose and she looked calmer. "It was summer, I think. There was sun on my skin." He stopped, blinked once and stared down at the bottle in Eve's hands. It was strange remembering that. He'd never felt sun on his arms without the piercing pain accompanying it, except in the dream. "I was chasing her. It was a game we played. I caught her and...." He stopped again, unsure of how to proceed. His eyes flickered up to Eve's for a moment and then he returned his gaze to the bottle. "...and I held her. She told me I had cheated and pushed away." He paused. Should he tell her Tristessa had turned into Eve at that point? He looked up to meet her gaze again, wondering what she was thinking so far. She hadn't thrown the bottle at him, so maybe that was a good sign.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve felt her throat tightening with each word. Even thinking about Samir being intimate with an elf was nauseating. To know that it actually happened, well...Eve quickly took another swig from the bottle, this time relishing in the burn. It kept her mind off of things. When he stopped he continued to look at her, no doubt waiting for her to explode. She took another drink, setting the bottle on the table when she was done. In truth, she did feel like exploding.

"Is-" Eve paused and cleared her throat. "Is that all?"

 

[MissCellaFane]

It was as if she knew, somehow. He grabbed the bottle off the table and took a large gulp, closing his eyes tightly at the burn. It hurt, but in a way it felt good. He let it slide down his throat and down into his stomach. When he opened his eyes, he found she was still staring at him. He handed her the bottle. "No that's not all."

He settled his arms across the back of the chair again. "At that point it stopped being a memory. Tristessa.....she turned into you." He searched her face. "And you were angry at me." He couldn't help but give a small grin, thinking of how angry she had been at him just an hour beforehand. He let out a sharp breath of air through his nose, nodding, not meeting her eyes. "Yes, you were very angry. Told me I had turned against you." He sobered. "You said you didn't need me anymore and then you left." Samir glanced at her but couldn't read her expression. He snatched the bottle from her hands and took another swig, then put it back up on the table, shoving it out of his reach. He'd had enough. Enough drink, enough of Eve's anger. He was beginning to regret this conversation.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Of course! Here he was having a grand ole time with a beautiful young elf then the monster Eve had to show up and ruin everything! Eve noticed her fingers were twitching and she reached for the bottle, but stopped and instead dropped her hand to the table and drummed them on the wood. That didn't help. They began to twitch again, so this time she balled them into a fist.

"So..." Eve could feel her voice shaking. "So, you dreamed of me being angry with you, right?" She stared at the bottle of alcohol in front of her, and began to loosen one of her leather straps on her arm. "That's probably because I'm always getting angry. But did you ever stop to think why I always get angry? Did you think that maybe, just maybe, I've gone through so much hell, and then I come here, and everything gets worse, and before I knew it I'm-" Almost immediately her hand shot up to her mouth with the leather strap. She bit down on it hard almost instantly feeling relief. She chewed, and chewed, and chewed.

Logic had to come in at some time. If she kept getting angry this way, Samir was going to leave her. She knew he would, and all because she wouldn't listen to him. Oh, why didn't she just end up getting a savage puppy instead? The dog never would have turned on her. Or maybe she'll become like Newlyn and get a monkey. Oh, hell, she could just create her own animal!

After a few seconds, she had calmed herself enough to take the strap from her mouth, lick her dry lips, and turn to look at Samir. "Has...this elf mentioned anything else to you about your past?" Her voice was calmer now, but her stomach still felt like a wreck.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir was about to protest when she began chewing on her leather strap. He let her do it, knowing it was how she got control of her emotions. And he was relieved she was going back to doing that instead of taking it out on him.

When she had composed herself, she asked, "Has...this elf mentioned anything else to you about your past?"

He thought back for a moment. "Just that my name was Brennan. But other than that, no." He shrugged. It felt strange having this conversation with Eve. But then, he had no one else to talk to. And even if he did, he wasn't sure he'd want to talk about it with anyone else, regardless.

He paused, unsure if he should say more, but feeling like he needed to defend himself a bit. He met her gaze. "And I wasn't accusing you of being irrationally angry, you know. That's not what it was like in the dream. You had cause to be angry. I know you've suffered, Eve. So have I. That's why we're here." He ran both hands through his hair, stood, and walked over to the counter, placing his hands on the edge and leaning over, letting his arms take his weight. "But it seems this place is just adding to our suffering." He said, almost to himself. He straightened, but didn't turn to face her, his hands still on the counter. Perhaps he should take another tug on that whiskey after all.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Brennan? What kind of stupid name was that?! But Even knew she was only taking her anger out on the name because it was only way she knew how to cope. Otherwise she would probably be taking it out on whoever was around, which at this moment happened to just be Samir. And hadn't she already caused him enough trouble?

She listened to his words carefully. It was his last statement that struck her heart though. Isn't that exactly what she had just thought in their last conversation? She was beginning to see Samir more and more as a living being, like her, who has been scoffed at, feared, and judged, like her, and not someone she could control. Although that scared her, it also gave her a little hope. And relief.

Eve stood and walked over behind him. She first laid her hands on his back, not knowing exactly what she was doing. After all, she was pretty new to this comforting thing. But she allowed her feelings to take over, and pretty soon her hands slid to his sides and then around to his stomach where she then rested her cheek on his back and closed her eyes.

"I was thinking the exact same thing," Eve said softly. She could feel the warmth of his body against her own, and it made her feel...good. "This place has done nothing for us. We're going to do what we came to do. And when we have succeeded I'm going to tear this entire place down and rebuild it one stone at a time. I never, ever want to remember this place again."

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir felt her warm hands on his back first. It was a comforting touch. She slid her hands around his stomach and pressed her cheek to his back. He closed his eyes at her words, glad she wasn't angry with him. He rubbed her hands and then slowly turned to face her. She looked up at him, her eyes studying him. And then, not even sure why he was doing it, he reached up with his right hand and placed his fingers just behind her ear, cupping her jaw in his palm. "I think that is the best part of your plan so far." He whispered and pulled her head towards him. He brushed his lips against her forehead at her hair line, her silky hair tickling his nose and still smelling like Lavendar. Then he moved his hand behind her neck, pulling her to him the rest of the way and tucking her head against his shoulder.

He wrapped his arms around her in a gentle embrace. She understood. She, more than anyone, understood. He closed his eyes. No matter how angry they got at one another, they couldn't forget the special bond of friendship they shared. This place could make them lose that. And no amount of revenge was worth that. He almost told her so, but figured she already knew. He rubbed her back and chuckled. "Are we friends again, then?" He asked softly.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve allowed him to caress her jaw, run his lips across her forehead, and even take her in an embrace, all the while feeling her legs weaken. But this time it wasn't just the weakening effect that caught Eve off guard; her heart was racing, and she began to feel lightheaded. She sure didn't think she had drunk that much alcohol, but maybe she had. Nothing else made sense.

"Are we friends again, then?" Samir asked softly, giving a chuckle and running his hand down her back.

She gave a shiver, and hoped he hadn't felt it. Friends? Odd. She had thought of him as a companion, maybe even a protector of some sort, but never a friend. It truly had never crossed her mind...until now. Did vampires really have friends? Did necromancers have friends? Did adults even have friends? She remembered her only friend -- Roden. But that was so many years ago. She was only a child then. But, just like realizing Samir was like her, thinking of having someone to care for her and be there for her was mysteriously comforting.

"I suppose so," Eve said quietly then pulled back and looked up into his eyes with a smirk. "Unless it's just the alcohol talking."

 

[MissCellaFane]

"I suppose so." Samir felt her pull back. It wasn't much, just enough to where she could look him in the eyes. He kept his hands at the small of her back as she spoke. "Unless it's just the alcohol talking." She smirked up at him.

He grinned widely, showing off his rather impressive fangs. For a moment he wondered if perhaps he shouldn't. After all, it was only earlier that day she'd had a dream that he sank those fangs into her neck. But just as quickly as that feeling had come, it left. No, Eve accepted him, just as he was. And he was a vampire. No use trying to hide from her what she already knew.

"It probably is the alcohol, knowing you!" He teased.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve wrinkled her nose up at him. Yes, yes. Maybe it was just the alcohol. But she wouldn't let him know that. However, it was kind of a relief to hear him say that, too. It gave her hope that she wasn't going crazy or losing her strong exterior she had built up for years.

"Oh, you wouldn't know!" Eve teased. "I haven't exactly been that drunk around you. Have I?" Then again, maybe she had.

 

[MissCellaFane]

Samir chuckled. "No, you haven't." It felt good to joke with her again, letting go of some of the tension of the day. Keeping his left hand at her waist, Samir leaned forward into her and reached past her with his right hand, grasping the bottle of whiskey. He picked it up and then leaned back again, bringing the bottle between them. "Though, I think a few more swigs oughta do the trick." He smirked, one eyebrow raised, tilting the bottle towards her and swishing the liquid around the bottom lightly.

 

[Nella Fantasia]

Eve furrowed her eyebrows. "And what do you plan on doing while I'm drunk? Take advantage of me?" She wrestled her wrist out of his grip and grabbed the bottle. "Well, I won't have it!" Then she reached up right over his head with the bottle in her hand, and poured the liquid onto his hair until it was completely empty. It dripped down into his face before reaching his clothes.

Eve tossed the bottle behind them, hearing it shatter as it hit the wall. She smirked. "Be careful what you say next time." She pulled away from him and began walking towards the stairs. When she was at the door she turned around for one last, "Good night." and disappeared around the corner.

 

[Sylvengard]

((Miss Red? You may have forgotten to reply to my post back on page 20 It took me forever to find it again, thanks to the post-happiness on WW and Cella's part, but here is a re-post. If you already replied, forgive me for not seeing it ))

"I have been better," Arsyth told Sirena, "but my day just got better at the sight of your face! You are like the morning sun, my love." Bowing, he kissed her hand lightly. On the outside, he was smiling his charming smile, wooing her into his arms. Inside, though, his stomach was twisting into knots at how flowery he could actually be if needed. The morning sun was nothing beautiful . . . only an emblem of power. The sun could be his when all was completed, but mind on the task was vital. Holding eye contact with her, he did not release her hand at first.

His black cloak was moving lightly in the wind, and in a blink the color became a dark green. The silver skull at his collar was hidden behind the front of the cloak. It was his sign, and he never removed it. Death. It was his friend. Bend the fates and never be defeated by them. Chaos was his clay, evil his works. And only evil was there power.

"How have you been, darling?" he asked, more charm emanating from him.