rissen: the vampire sypathy story board

ooc: decomp, i have a plan and for now, your brother isn't part of it, he could be of use later, but i need to have other things done first, don't take over the military.

ic:

"Hello miss Khimaria, its been such a long time." Said a fang member, its face a mass of scars and stitches under a brown monks habit.

"Hi, i need use of your records, and i may need to borrow copy's of spell books as most of mine were badly aged and destroyed through lack of use, i also need your help in locating the vampire Xzaar, a friend of mine if you recall who recently went missing while looking for a host, also i may need to talk to your master." Khimaria said.

"What is ours, is yours of coarse miss Khimaria." The fang smiled repulsively. "As i suppose you know, the great library is that way." the fang pointed to a large iron door with a huge bolt across it that only one with great arcane knowledge such as khimaria and Loth could open, just to be sure the fang said, "You know how to open it i trust?" In a questioning manner.

"of coarse I know how to open it" smirked khimaria, evidently this fang was born after the great war and hadn't mixed much with vampires or warlocks much.

"The master is just through there" indicated the fang again, this time to a smaller door almost roting in its hinges, barley taking into account what Khimaria said. "Make sure you knock, the master has a great temper."

"Oh i will be fine." said khimaria. "don't worry i have a powerful temper to."

the fang member looked slightly uncomfortable and made his way to some were else, allowing Khimaria into the library.

Instantly Khimaria found what she was looking for, a dusty tomb which had been hand righten and had recently had had additions, it had some photographs within, a few blueprints and a family tree, it was a large family tree but khimaria didn't care, it was better then none at all. She put this in a leather bag that she had bought with her, and moved on.

Usefully the advanced magic section, although small, was well labeled and she found a book on advanced summoning, and a overview of powerful spells as well as some basic books for her to use as reference and to cast some spells from to get Laura's body more used to magic.

Next she visited the high priest of the fang, a man she reconised from the days when she was within her own shell.

"hello Khimaria, its been to long." exclaimed the priest smileing. "now what can i be of assistance with."

"T would like your help in finding a vampire going by the name of Xzaar"

The priest butted in. "I recnently cheaked on all you spirits and im sorry, xzaar is still in slumber for now." He smiled weekly. "Im sure he will wake up soon, insidently master Orion is staying with us at the moment, you may wish too visit him and tell him about your plans against the ansestorial chain."

Khimaria was taken aback. "How did you." she thought for a second. "Oh you know this place to well" she laughed and then bade him farewell

Yuri stared dumbfounded to the back of Loki, right arm tightly around the soggy paper wrapping of her unopened bottle of Hennessey. It had slowed her down a bit as she swam but she’d be damned if she left it behind. Making squishy steps in her waterlogged stilettos, she felt a tension start to build in her lungs. A smile spread across her normally aloof face. Eyes lighting up, Yuri threw back her head, and despite herself, laughed loudly at the events that had just transpired.

Loki glanced back, eyes flashing warningly as he opened a side door into the warehouse. Silencing herself, Yuri crept after him as stealthily as possible, impossibly broad grin still on her lips. Walking through a series of corridors and up and down a bevy of stairs, the two found themselves in the center of a dusty room. Rusty inoperative equipment jutted out from the wooden floorboards of the building, a sweet scent suffocating the air. Shadows bounced off the structures from nearby streetlamps and speeding police cars, sirens shattering the silence of the night.

Propping herself against a cold metal cylinder, Yuri wrapped her jacket closer around her shivering figure. She hated the cold, not only for the shivers, but for the effect it had that was even more obvious with her shirt clinging to her figure. Scowling, she closed her eyes for a minute, coming to as she felt the warmth of a nearby fire lapping up at her denim jeans.

Opening her eyes, she found in the shadow of the warehouse a small fire in front of her. Sitting opposite her, mumbling something was Loki, grey eyes a surreal white. Once he noticed her, he paused. Yuri sat up, setting the chilled Hennessy into her lap. Stretching her arms up, she asked. “How long had I been sleeping?”

“Less than ten minutes…” responded Loki, pulling from the pocket of his hoodie a small bottle of liquor. Stirring the liquid meticulously, he started to take off the cap, pausing in between a pull. “Back there…why were you laughing?” his eyes gave off a curious glimmer, Loki taking a sip of the liquid.

Her smile came back. Turning her attention back to her bottle, Yuri opened up the Very Special cognac, savoring in the scent of the liquid. Wrapping her lips around the top, she threw back her head, taking a long swig, letting the alcohol lather her taste buds. Setting the bottle down, she kept her eyes pinned to the fire. “Loki…do you know of my profession?”

“You are an assassin,” He stared to her cautiously. “Why do you ask?”

Yuri traced her finger over the cold opening of the cognac. She sighed. “As an assassin, I happen to take great pleasure in my job. Hunting, stalking, confrontation, and…making the kill. It is the rush from it all that makes me continue such a sordid job…sordid in the eyes of others anyway,” She took a slow sip of her Hennessey. “The only other rush that betters the feeling of blood slipping through my fingers is…well, sex.” She said simply, smirking at Loki’s expression.

Pouring a tablespoon of the alcohol over the fire, she gently shook the remaining liquid. “However, tonight was a new rush all on its own. Traversing down the streets of the city, pursued ruthlessly by flashing lights of weird vehicles, jumping off into the chill waters, and even now, hiding out,” She chuckled, taking a swig. “I have not had that much fun for as long as I remember…” Eyes on the glistening cobwebs decorating the ceiling, she calmed down her laughter. “It is the only possible reason why I will not slit your throat at the foot of your door, as I had originally intended to do. If you can show me a time like that, you must be a character of some interest.”

“Oh joy…” Loki crossed his legs, eyes holding a cynical hue. “I don’t know whether I should be unnerved that I was right and you were going to kill me or pleased that my death was spared, courtesy of the cops…” He shook his head, finishing off the rest of his alcohol.

“Be pleased, Loki,” Yuri smirked, catching a spare drop of Hennessey sliding down the bottle. She grew serious, gaze everywhere but on Loki. “I…while I do not agree with your line of thinking regarding the war…no, that is an understatement, while I am thoroughly disgusted with your thoughts over the war and should have killed you for even speaking to me…I…I realize that it is your opinion and while I do not agree with it, I can not force you to change your line of thinking. I guess I will have to…accept you the way you are.”

Yuri let out a massive breath, immediately downing a quarter of the cognac afterwards. That had to be one of the hardest things she had done in her life, death was so much easier to dole out. Taking a heavy breath after the liquid had thoroughly scorched her empty insides, she wiped her lips with the back of her hand, resting her glance to the dust stained windows.

Out from the darkness, hints of a glowing ball of light were visible. The sun broke through the navy blue darkness, the white mist of clouds no longer hiding the serenity brought by the light. Yuri stared, hazel eyes lit up in wonder and awe. She had never seen a sunrise before, unlike Xzaar, she wasn’t willing to endure the pain to do so. And now, here, while the sun was a bother to her night attuned eyes, she realized it was one of the most beautiful things she had seen all evening.

Raising the bottle of Hennessey to the sun, proud at her slow change and probably the most mature words that would leave her mouth for the rest of her life, she whispered. “Bite on that, Mr. Heavy metal…” Smirking, she took her last swig for the evening. She glanced to Loki. “Shall we head back now?” She stood up, crossing her arms. “I would really like to sleep as of now. While I do so, you will get my bike repaired.”

It was meant to be a question, but it came out more of a statement, Yuri not open for any other option. She had every intention of sleeping well past the afternoon, waking up around 6 in the evening. From there, she’d make her way back to the cave and find out what everyone had been up to for the past few hours…

Einari nodded, and then stood stock still, listening for any sounds of movement. Nope, it was silent except for the smoldering fire. Einari pocketed his flask again, after taking one final sip, and headed up the stairs and throught the corridors, slipping like water out of the thin opening in the doors of the warehouse, and then running towards the streets, knowing that while they were out in the open, they might still be a target for any lurking police cars. He stuck to the shadows, but that did not hinder his speed in the slightest, for their where plenty to be found at sunrise.

They reached the alleys and mainstreets of the city. Einari looked back behind them. Warehouse 19. Einari planned out their route in his head as they ran. It would take an hour or more to get back there at this pace, and Einari thought they might need to slow down, because he wasnt sure if Yuri, or her host, could keep up with the pace. He called back over his shoulder.

"Hope you dont mind a few obstacles."

Einari made a sharp turn off of the street into a dark alleyway, and scaled the concrete wall there by jumping to a dumpster and leaping over the edge, albiet cutting it close. He heard the slamming of a foot against metal and then a small grunt as Yuri hit the ground, and figure she could keep up with him for most of the way.

They made a twisting route towards the apartment, but the quickest none the less. They had to scale and bound over many more fences, and Einari could hear Yuri's pace and breath coming harder, although his own had not changed. When they were within a mile of the apartment, Einari slowed his pace to a walk. Yuri caught him up and then gratefully fell into pace beside him. Einari looked around, and spotted a very nice looking car, but he decided it was best not to do anything illegal for the next week or so.

So they made their way to the apartment, mostly in silence, and then Einari found his mind searching for clues around the amulet around his neck. When he could up with none, he thought aloud, more to himself than to Yuri.

"Pity, a pity..."

Yuri raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

"What's a pity?"

"That I had to lose that car."

Einari told the lie smoothly and un-flinchingly. Yuri seemed to be satisfied with the answer and went back to her own thoughts. Einari still dwelled on the dodecahedronal amulet about his neck, though. He showed her the way in, which she promptly fell upon his bed and started to sleep, and then fetched the bike and took it to the mechanic's a few blocks away, but he could not get the amulet out of his mind. He turned it over in his mind, looking for some possible way to open it -

"That'll be 80 please."

The phrase came crashing down on his silent thoughts, and fiery eyes looked up at the mechanic.

"How the f*ck does changing a tire constitute me paying 80?"

The mechanic seemed slightly ataken back by Einari's poisonous tone.

"Well...10 for the removal, 10 for putting on a new one, 20 for the tire, a-"

"That adds up to 40, if I'm not mistaken."

Einari's voice was dripping with poison and sardonicism. But the large mechanic raised a hand.

"Please, sir, let me finish. And another 40 for the early morning service. I need my sleep, s-"

And then Einari's fist made contact with first the mechanic's nose, a crunch marking that it was broken, and another fist made contact with the belly, doubling him over, only to be forced back into the air again by Einari's first fist coming back to seconds and having a nice little chat with Mr. Chin. The mechanic's unconcious body flew back about two feet in the air before it limply hit the ground with a thud. Einari took out two twenties and placed them in the man's hand.

"There's your sleep back."

Einari mounted the motorcycle, found his balance, and rode it slowly to the apartment a few blocks down. He put the thing in the garage, and then headed back up to the flat, and sat down on the couch, flipping on the tv, although not loud enough to wake Yuri.

After a few hours of this he headed out again, his hood pulled low over his face to protect him from the sun. Where he was going? Nowhere.

OOC: lol...Have no fear, Seriph. The military is well out of Zen's evil little fingers just yet. You didn't think I'd let him waltz in and take it over without some serious obstacles in his way, just to piss him off, now did you?? lol...anywho, I havent the brain matter to post today, last nightshift mushed my brain to shit, so this side story will be on hold till tomorrow.

(ooc: little short -and rushed- this evening but its a little too late to go completely lengthy...)

“David…” Yuri tapped a pencil up to the yellow sheet in her hand, snuggling herself deeper into the bed. Glad the curtains were tightly drawn, blocking out the lingering traces of sun in the surprisingly sunny afternoon, she blew from her vision a strand of grey. She made a face, knowing that after last night she would need to wash it yet again.

She tapped the paper again, reading the file over for what had to be her third time for the day. So far she had learned the full name of her target to be David Malcolm Casten. He was currently twenty, still in his senior year of high school. Happening to have snagged a psychological evaluation along with his bio, she found that he had mentioned talks about a girl, a woman who would be there for him, in shadow and spirit, watching, protecting, waiting for her moment.

‘Waiting for what moment?’ the psychologist would ask. Waiting for when she arrived…for when the other woman would try to take him away. They never got more than that out of him and for the few that did, they could be found in their local asylum.

“I should be flattered you have been thinking of me,” She whispered softly to herself. Folding up the sheet of paper, she placed it beneath the lamp in Loki’s room. She sighed, thoroughly wiping the sleep from her eyes. “Six o clock on the dot…” Forcing herself out of bed, she walked across the carpet, through the living room and into Loki’s shower.

Unlike earlier, Yuri held no lingering thoughts over her bite marks, over the carnal desires slowly emerging from their hiding places. She pushed it away, knowing she would have to concentrate if she wished for her assassination to go off with no flaws. She had originally intended to kill each of her targets on a monthly basis but she figured if she got four done in a month, she’d have a three month vacation. Or to be more precise, I would only have to worry about targets for Khimaria…

Turning off the shower, Yuri shook her head fiercely, shaking out spare water from her thrice washed hair. A wave of dizziness came. Staggering to the faucet, lids feeling heavy, she closed her eyes, breathing heavily over the porcelain, droplets of water dripping into the cold sink. Grip tightening on the sink, she took one last calming breath.

Wiping away the mist covering the mirror, she stared hard to her reflection. Yuri wasn’t sure it was imaginable but she seemed to have grown sickly looking between the time she had gotten out of bed from the time she had showered. Leaning closer to her reflection, her pulse rate softened as color rushed back into her cheeks, her temporary weakness gone. Odd…Simone…would you happen to have some sort of sickness?

Not that I know of…it’s all you body snatcher. She gave a curt laugh, a little worried nonetheless.

Shaking it off to her heavy drinking and the quarter left of Hennessey to prove it, Yuri dressed quickly in a pair of black leather pants accompanied with a navy blue low cut top. Throwing on a leather jacket and her abused heels, Yuri left Loki’s apartment, taking only things of value to herself.

Heading to the garage, she mounted her motorcycle. In a few seconds, she found her balance, speeding the platinum and midnight blue bike through the streets of the city. She had already decided on her game plan for the evening. She would drop off her newly acquired things to the cave, and then from there, go on a little research and reconnaissance. Then, once all the hard work was done all she’d have to do was make…a broad smile formed at her last thought…the kill.

Adding a one quarter ounce of Hennessey with a splash of lemon juice, the jolly go lucky bartender shook the martini with ice, humming a cheerful beat beneath his breath. The AC flooding the neon illuminated building was no major problem for him, though the music did make him want to send a power tool through his ears. Techno had never been his thing.

Then again, after the fiasco with Yuri's little friends, it would have to serve as a temporary job until he got himself fired. He wasn't being pessimistic, rather, it was a sure thing. Sometimes...just sometimes... He strained the drink into a chilled cocktail glass, decorating it with a small lemon wedge. He was nearly tempted to take a sip. Sometimes...I really hate how I'm always right, never fail.

Turning around to serve the newcomer at the bar exactly what they wanted without them raising a hand to take an order, the glass nearly slipped from his hand at the pair of devious hazel eyes glaring to him, sly smirk across a similar face. "F**k me..."

Yuri frowned, tilting her head as she accepted the drink from his hand. Taking a sip, her frown grew more pronounced, the lemon adding an odd flavor to what had to be her favorite cognac. Stirring a finger around the rim, she said, "That is no way to greet a friend...especially when you just leave them in bed with just a letter to show for it," She placed the lemon on a napkin. "That is no way to say goodbye."

"Goodnight," Corrected L, busying himself with a tattered rag. He stared hard to the table, cleaning off the already sparkling counter. "I didn't foresee your arrival," Literally... He finished as an after thought. Throwing aside the rag, he cocked his brow, completely curious. "What are you doing here?"

Taking a sip, Yuri formed a wry face, sliding the cocktail glass aside. She sighed, fingers playing around the jewelry dangling from neck. "I took a short visit home and on my way back to the city I felt the need to stop off here...and bloody hell, I bump into you." She smiled toothily, hazel eyes aglow. She had immediately dropped off her things at the grotto and taking in the scent of the rose and necklace, it was no heavy burden to track down the scent of the bartender.

"Really..." Smiling slightly, L went back to the multifarious variety of liquors and spirits making up the bar, taking up a bottle of Absolut Vodka. Squirting orange juice from the fountain into a small glass, he began to prepare a Red Death for a curly haired female to his right.

As he worked, he said. "Sure you're not looking for something?" He smiled suggestively, though with little interest in actually doing anything. "A certain someone to warm up any lonesome nights...?"

Rolling her eyes, Yuri drummed her nails along the table. "That someone would not be you, I could tell you that much."

He flinched, pretending to be hurt. "Shut down..." He served the curly haired woman her drink, eyes fixed on Yuri.

Yuri made an odd face, smiling all the while. She wondered whether or not it would do her any good, then deciding she had nothing to lose. "Actually..."

*TBC

ooc: i dobted it from you post but i had to be careful (zen scares me 🙁)

Orion straightened the tie of his new suit with a frown as they entered the large grey stone building known as the Government Archives. It was one thing for him to have to tag along on Zen's crazy plan, but no one told him he had to wear a suit and tie.

"You'll be my new personal assisstant," Zen had informed him. "Can't have you dressing like a bum, now can I?"

Orion supposed he was right. There would be no chance of succeeding if they didn't play this right.

"Good morning Minister Kain," a smartly dressed secretary greeted Zen, green eyes glittering behind complimentory reading glasses. "What brings you here, sir? I was not informed of your intended visit."

Zen smiled good naturedly. "I am glad. For it would make an surpise inspection rather pointless if you knew I was coming. It is nothing to worry about though. I just need to check if certain files are in order."

"I see," the woman replied, obviously not 'seeing' at all. "And your companion?" She asked hesitantly. "He is not allowed into the archive propper I'm afraid, sir. Perhaps you would prefer me to bring the files out to you?"

Zen waved it away. "No thank you. This is my new Personal Assisstant, Xavier Glass. I will be in need of his assisstance within, so you will have to make an acception just this once. I can personally vouch for him."

The secretary considered for a long moment. "Very well, sir, but you will have to sign the appropriate documents, consigning responsibility for Mr. Glass to yourself."

"But of course," Zen replied with a sickly fake smile. Zen's eyes remained locked on the secretary as he brought his pen down to sign on the appropriate dotted line, pausing only slightly to ensure he signed the document as Johnathan Kain, and not Zen Vagar.

The process done, Zen strode to a large steel safe-like door, the entrance to the archives propper. Bending down, he placed his chin in the desired place and let the laser from the retina scanner do its work. After a few seconds, a beep, followed by confirmation of a correct match, could be heard. A loud clunking issued forth from the door as the unlocking sequence began its first half movement, then a palm scanning device slithered forwards out of the door.

Zen placed his palm on the device, the laser scanning it three times before a similar confirmation was heard and the locking mechanism completed its unlocking sequence, allowing Zen to open the door and the two to slip inside.

Once in, Zen placed his hand in the pocket of his suit pants, letting it drop in and withdrawing his arm, his real hand in place of what was Johnathan's severed one. "Now, down to business."

Orion scanned the rows upon rows of files with a distraught look. "You have got to be kidding me. Haven't they ever heard of computers?"

Zen chuckled. "Come now, brother. That would be just too easy."

"Do you at least know where to start?"

"This is me we are talking about, of course I know where to start. Under 'A', for Aguera, Jesus Aguera."

"And who would Zues-ey boy be when he's at home then?"

"That'd be General Zues-ey boy to you, and he is the man that may just be crooked enough to join our cause." Zen smiled. "And if he doesn't...well, you have an imagination."

Orion nodded as he headed towards the 'A' files. He didn't have to imagine hard to guess the fate of the General, should he refuse Zen. Plucking the file from within the cabinet, Orion scanned the contents of the folder quickly.

"Jesus Aguera, born 1962 in Mexico city, migrated to America with family in 1968...yadda, yadda, yadda...brother joined military in 1979, died of drug overdose in 1980. Investigations were ceased...seems like no one really cared. Jesus joins military in 1985, nearly dies of drug overdose in 1986, investigation finds three soldiers guilty of trying to top the man, and confess to killing the brother six years earlier. Reason seemes to be racial based. Hmmm...yadda, yadda...transfers from american forces to Her Majesties forces in 1988 after almost a year in and out of hospital for treatments due to complications with his recovery...yadda yadda yadda...bitta bam, bitta boom...von general..." Orion glanced at Zen. "This man has done nothing special...How the f*ck does someone like him become a general?"

Zen shrugged. "He knows the right people. f*cks the right people and kills the right people. Amazing how those three simple things can get one so far, eh?"

Orion frowned. "How do you know so much about him, anyway?"

"I haven't been idle, you know? I did some investigating a while back. I don't know much, but I do know the mans nature. His time in the American armed forces really f*cked him up, first the incident with his brother, then those guys tried to top him...it pretty much made him snap. What you won't find in that file, probably because they couldn't susbstaciate the claims, was that Mr. Aguera mutilated the holy f*uck out of them boys in a way that we Vampires would get wet dreams over. Now, I don't know about you, but I think we could use a man like that."

"I can't see how he is going to be of use. I mean, he is a General, sure, but he is a rather lowly one. How can he help us?"

"Look through the file properly."

Orion did, flicking through all the way to the back of the file, where black and white photographs of Jesus and another man were stashed. "Who the other guy?"

"Marty Verrell, mob boss, leader of the biggest black market arms and drug syndicate in all of Europe. Our Zues-ey boy has been playing with the big dogs, brother, and we need them in our court. Jesus has sway with Marty, for without Jesus, Verrell's organisation would have a hell of a time getting things in and out of the country. Every other bastard in the place is a straight as they come, and chances of bribing them are nill. Jesus, though, he's messed up. the perfect guy for Marty to use to allow free reign in London."

"So ultimately, you want to use Marty?"

"Indeed. Mainly for weapons, but the man power will be appreciated. Let some of the humans kill each other for our gain."

"They know all this, yet they let him stay in the military?"

"Are you kidding me? They are all scared to touch the man, for fear of Marty's wrath, even his superiors give him enough rope to pretty much do whatever the hell he wants."

Orion rubbed the back of his neck, closing the file and placing it back within the cabinet. "It says Jesus has a wife, Natalia, and two children, Emanual and Nikita."

Zen smiled wickedly. "Indeed. Well, we shall have to pay the three a visit when daddy's at work, eh?"

Orion winced slightly. "You're not going to kill the kids, are you?"

Zen glared. "Don't let your human side make you weak. They will die if Jesus refuses to co-operate. As for the wife, well," Zen's eyes flashed as a smirk played across his lips. "I'll just have my fun with her regardless."

Turning her gaze into the contents of her cocktail glass, Yuri deliberated over how to make the conversation sound natural. Fabrications came easy for her but she found, perhaps it was the music…or maybe the wise beyond years grey eyed stare from the bartender…whatever it was, she found she couldn’t fully explain herself.

Downing the rest of the drink, the story came to mind. She looked L into the eye. “It is in regards to that someone you mentioned. My ex hasn’t been around lately but I know he has a thing with being on the streets,” It was the second thing she noted in his bio, her target cut class nearly every other day. Tightening her grip on the glass, she blinked, puppy eyed. “He’s a bit of a recluse, David…I just want to…make things right before the New Years.” She hadn’t the slightest what the new years could be, going on Simone’s input yet again.

L nibbled on his bottom lip, eyebrow piercing glinting under a flashing blue light. Serving a Smirnoff to a greasy haired blonde, he soon went back to Yuri, tapping her lightly on the nose. Leaning close, he stared hard into her face. “Caramel…thought you knew better…or maybe we aren’t talking about the same guy…” He leaned back, running a hand over his hair. “No, I would hope not.”

She described his bio in full. “Average size build, a little over six feet, brown eyes, light brown hair in a spike cut, prefers to dress in mainly black but refuses to call himself gothic, heavy smoker, never smiles,” Yuri let her description sink in, resting her arms onto the table. “Sound familiar?”

Whistling low, he put his bartending skills on hold, leaning closer to Yuri. He glanced about the area, motioning her close as he spoke in a whisper. “Caramel, you’ve gotten yourself involved with a drug dealer, you realize this, right?” Yuri showed no understanding for what he could possibly mean, L elaborating. “He peddles a variety of things, acid, speed, angel dust, the works…” He frowned, tapping Yuri with an alcohol scented finger. “I’ll be so disappointed if you take any of the above.”

Blinking befuddled, Yuri caught the bartender’s hand, brow arching. “I do not even know what any of the above is,” She folded her hands in her lap, bowing her head as she got back into her role. “Though that does explain a lot…I just,” She sighed. “I just wished he talked to me more about his life. I…” She stared back to L, tears brimming her eyes. “You think you might have an idea where he could be?” On the inside, she was dying from laughter…playing the waif roles were far too much fun.

He wiped away an invisible tear from her cheek. Giving a weak smile, he said. “Cheer up, caramel. Sure you’ll find him one way or another…personally, I don’t know too much about where he could be, I’m not exactly one of his customers,” He chuckled. “However, I know he hangs around the slummier parts of town. That’s all I can give you. Helped any?”

“Little to none,” Rubbing away the phony tears, Yuri let out a quivering breath, hopping off the barstool. Leaving a ten on the counter, she gave a weak shrug. “Thanks L, really appreciate your time.”

“No problem…even if it wasn’t much,” He gave a small smile, watching as Yuri made her way from the bar. He’d admit, her display of glossy eyes and sad shuddering had been pretty convincing but unfortunately, he happened to know better. She’d never be the type to cry, especially over this David character.

He held up a martini glass to a red neon light, mystified as he murmured. “You’ll cry soon enough…” He shook the thoughts from his head, rushing over to bottle of Bailey’s rum. He wanted to complete at least three more drinks before the abrupt pause in his evening…

Strutting outside, Yuri leaned her back to the wall, closing her eyes as a second wave of fatigue swept her by. She balled up a clammy fist, letting the cool night air bathe over her figure. The lighting in the over packed club had a really negative effect on her being.

Pushing herself from the wall, Yuri scanned the area. Parked on the streets was a black sedan, a desperately in need of wash blue Honda, two Lexus’s, a mint condition Scion, and a neon Saturn. However, strangely enough…Yuri walked up to a narrow empty stretch of space. “Strangely enough…my motorcycle…” She closed her eyes, fists shaking. “My motorcycle is not here…WHERE THE F**K IS MY BIKE?!?” She roared, piercing through the calm night with a vicious shout.

To her side, a homely man laughed, lighting up a pipe with ease. In need of a shave and a new pair of clothes, but not seeming to care all the same, he smiled. Yuri squinted in his direction, he speaking in an old voice. “Your bike was the black and platinum one, lookin’ fresh outta the shop, right?”

“Midnight blue…” corrected Yuri dangerously, voice dripping with venom. “You would happen to know the whereabouts of my bike?” She stepped up to him, looking him in the eyes. Judging from his facial features, he was heavily intoxicated and going by the smell of the smoke, he wasn’t smoking a cigarette. Behind her, something could be heard dropping to the ground. She ignored the noise, waiting for the man’s response.

He chuckled lightheartedly, blowing smoke into the sky. “Ain’t your bike anymore,” She waited for him to clarify. He took a satisfying long drag before continuing. “D’angelo and his crew took it in. It ain’t yours anymore, once founded by ‘em, its kept by ‘em girlie,” He tapped her forehead lightly with the opening of the beer bottle, not realizing the livid rage Yuri had been sent into in by the act. He laughed. “Hope you got yourself ‘surance!”

She snapped. Claws extending, Yuri lunged towards the hobo, two strong arms immediately holding her back. Squirming in the stranger’s hold, she pulled with everything she could summon to get a hint of the poor man’s blood beneath her nails. Widening his eyes at the malice flashing through hers, he ran down the alleyway, apparently not as high as he had put on.

Screaming in frustration, Yuri began to see just what was wrong with her, a silent understanding to the sudden weakness her body had taken. Relaxing, the strong arms behind her loosened their grip. Whipping around, Yuri slapped the figure of L hard against the cheek, face turning swollen from the blow. She pointed to him bitterly. “Do not ever hold me back again…and especially, do not ever grab me from behind again. As nice as I have been, trust when I say…” She didn’t finish her threat, or rather she couldn’t. It felt too weird threatening the recovering blond in front of her.

Still massaging his red cheek, L winced, grey eyes flickering in agitation and pain. “I deserved that in part, jumping behind a girl and binding her arms is never a smart move. But…” He lowered his hand from his bruised face, spitting out a trace portion of blood. “Just don’t think it’s proper to attack a man who’s already down on his luck, ya know?” He chuckled. “Good thing I had to empty the garbage or might’ve bumped into a casualty.” He glanced to the side, eyes holding a cynical hue. Right…more like a dead man.

Muttering a sorry beneath her breath, Yuri found herself distracted by the small scent of blood in the air. Her stomach grumbled from the aroma alone. She was ravenous for the liquid, it was why she had been growing weaker by the minute. However, present company would not allow her to feed nor would she feed on present company. Not only did he have his uses but he was a rarity in itself…a friend.

Rubbing the back of her neck, she restrained herself. She’d suffer the hunger pangs for the time being. Exhaling loudly, she inquired, “Would you happen to know the location of this D’angelo and his crew?” She held a deceptively innocent look.

L nodded, fingering the keys in his pocket. “As a matter of fact, I would…” Noticing the dangerous flash of her eyes from innocent to vengeful, he led her to his car, casually raising his hands behind his head. “Of course, I’m hoping you don’t intend to go in there and raise hell. All you’ll do is get yourself shot. You gotta play by their rules, Yuri.” He smiled sneakily, stepping into his car.

Steeping in after the bartender, surprised he had finally used her name, Yuri rested her head back against the seat. On edge from hunger and rage, she squeezed her right leg pensively. Once the car started, she rolled down a window, allowing the evening breeze to cool her temper somewhat. She glanced to the still smiling bartender. “What exactly are their rules…?”

Stopping at a light, L smiled jovial. Pinching her cheek, he asked. “Ever played poker…?”

Partially amused at her surroundings, a smug smile crossed her lips as she crossed her legs. She was in a dim shady room, yellow lighting coming from an oval lamp hanging down from the ceiling. It overlooked a huge brown table, various men and women alike sitting comfortably with something or another lit. Yuri seemed to be the only non smoker, but it was no major concern. The only thing that had started to bother her was that she was revealing a little too much skin, clad in only a silk white bra and panties to match.

The chipper bartender had driven her to D’angelo’s place, a flamboyantly massive casino bordering on the edge of town. Once there, he led her past flashing slot machines with their hopeful players and black and red roulette tables with their unfortunate souls to a back room. Currently, five men and two women were getting prepared for another round of poker.

Seeing the sudden appearance of the bartender, several looked tempted to throw their cards down, but he jovially explained he wouldn’t be playing for the evening. Rather, he wished to introduce a friend of his, Yuri, to the game. She was more than apprehensive having only been given a thirty minute crash course on the game. But it was either that or raise hell and while she wanted to do the latter, getting shot wasn’t high on her agenda.

It had started out slow, but once she had gotten into it, the other players had begun placing pets. Cooperating, she did the same and with a lucky streak, won herself every other round. Soon, the game turned into a different direction, articles of clothing being gambled from the men who ran out of money to bet. The women politely stepped out from this phase, Yuri staying in the round despite the sordid terms. Four of the other men dropped out once they were down to nothing but their boxers and a silk tie.

Only Yuri and the best player remained, he in a pair of crisp denim jeans, clean white button down shirt long lost...the thief who stole her bike…D’angelo. He sat opposite her, cocky with vivacious blue eyes. He had curly black hair, currently in a ponytail and a tan complexion courtesy of the islands. On each side of his was a scantily clad woman, always smiling. Even if he managed to lose, he’d be happy by the end of the night…D’angelo rolled his tongue past his lips, ruby piercing shining under the light from his Columbian cigar…and vice versa.

Raising a raven brow, Yuri leaned close, resting her elbows on the table. It was time yet again to place their bets but she wished for the game to come to an end, she didn’t have all night. She mused, “Shouldn’t we try something else, make this game interesting, Mr. D’angelo…?” He bit the cigar, amused she had finally said more than two words. He nodded for her to continue.

“While this has been fun, let’s bring this game to an end. I’ll even make a little proposition. If I happen to win, you give me all your winnings for the evening, every article of clothing and jewelry you have on you, AND…” She paused for dramatic effect. “That lovely little motorcycle I saw in the lot.”

The crowd whistled, murmurs going along the group. Stroking his stubble covered chin with slender gold ringed fingers, he frowned. He set the cigar down into his ashtray. “Seems a lot for me to lose. What happens if I win?”

Yuri had deliberated in her head just what exactly would make a man of his caliber want to play by her rules. She held back a sigh, speaking smoothly. “If you happen to win, I give you all the money I have in my possession, strip down to nothing but my birthday suit, a brand new Lexus and…” She stared him hard in the eyes, hazel eyes aglow. “I will become your f**k puppet for the next month or so.”

D’angelo choked on a drag, the men in the room erupting into small claps and rude comments. Recovering, he massaged his chest, analyzing Yuri through tear filled eyes. “Are you serious?” He pointed his cigar in her direction. “Your word…you’d become my sex slave…for a month…do whatever I wanted, whenever I asked?”

“Yes,” She nodded, hands neatly folded on the table’s surface. She tilted her head. “That is, of course, if you won,” If he was unfortunate enough to win, she could only hope he had nobody to go home to for guns or no, she’d kill every last human within the casino before she became someone’s f**k anything let alone puppet. “Do we have ourselves an agreement?”

He smiled broadly, thick smoke steadily leaving his nose. “With an offer like that, I can’t refuse,” The men in the crowd were amused, smiles and murmurs leaving each mouth. For a second, his brow twitched. Placing his free fingers to his mouth, he whistled loudly, a shrill tune in the rectangular room. Silence ensued immediately, eyes on the man in the room.

Blue eyes vindictive, he directed his next words to everyone within the room, keeping eye contact only with his opponent opposite him. “Everyone is dismissed for the evening with the exception of the dealer and the lovely lady opposing me. Understood?!” The men in the room couldn’t hide the glum expressions their faces held, the women rolling their eyes over the affair. The women who had been standing by his side formed a sour face but left all the same.

A strange silence overcame the room at the absence of all the strangers, Yuri raising a brow in confusion over his action. Burning out the cigar, he smiled as he explained. “See, I prefer it that only I see my woman naked, not a crowd. That’s not how I play…” To his side, the dealer smirked, shuffling the cards for the deciding round.

Accepting her first five cards, Yuri briefly peeked at her hand, placing down two cards that seemed of no use to her. She frowned. “Do you not think you are being a little too overconfident?”

He laughed. “No,” He said simply, in smiles over his hand. Licking a finger, he placed a card down, blue eyes growing solemn. “Considering what I have in store will be degrading for you, here’s a one time opportunity. You can give up while you still have the chance…and you’ll only have to f**k me for a week.”

Yuri snorted. “Like that is any better,” Reeling in her two new cards, she fixed them around her deck, a slow frown starting to appear. She adjusted them around some more to keep busy, growing distracted from the blue eyes staring to her for no particular reason. She fanned her cards out, fanning herself. “Not unless royalty is on your side, you must tell me why you would not focus on your hand.”

Chuckling, he gave another laugh. “It’s not that, the thing is…” His smile grew fox-like, blue eyes sparkling. He motioned his head to the side. “You see, a couple of miles from here is a nice little S&M shop. I was just imagining you in one of their outfits, whips and all,” He revealed his hand, a four of a kind composed of four Kings and an Ace. “You’ll be beautiful, no need to frown about it.”

Making an odd face, Yuri blinked bemused. “That is not why frown.” Moving around two more cards, she explained herself, “I think it is more I prefer to spare others heavy humiliation,” She revealed her hand, an Ace, two, three, four, and five, each holding a diamond suit. A straight flush. She leaned back in her seat, satisfied. “I imagine it will be such a bother leaving this room in the nude, no?”

Boggled over his loss, he wondered why God couldn’t screw him over in style with a Royal flush. It would have been something to remember, that was certain. He closed his eyes, breath coming heavy. Shaking off his wave of anger, he tossed in Yuri’s direction his wallet, the other men’s clothing along with hers, jeans, earrings, three chains around his neck, rings, boots and boxers.

He crossed his arms, facing up to his loss better than Yuri had anticipated, heaving the copycat keys to the motorcycle in her direction. She caught them deftly, sliding the cold metal into the center of her bra. Noticing her make no move of leaving, he pushed himself up to the table. “Talk to me, I take it you’re not only here for poker?”

Folding up her clothing neatly, Yuri cocked her head. “That is correct,” She glanced to the silent dealer, he shaking his head to the music blaring from his Rio Carbon. Noticing her glance, with a snap of his fingers, the dealer was dismissed into the back room. He repeated himself, Yuri surprisingly enough handing back his clothing and jewelry, keeping a portion of his cash for herself.

Sliding into his boxers, he smirked. “Don’t tell me you’re feeling guilty,” He pulled his jeans over, shaking his head. “Doubt that, more like I’m about to hear another deal.”

“Smart boy,” commended Yuri, clapping mockingly. Sitting down as he dressed, she said, “I can tell you run a neat little operation here and losing to a novice is never a proud accomplishment. My deal is I will say you won, though you exempt me from the stripping down/f**k puppet terms out of some respect for the two women you probably screw every night,” He laughed at the truth, Yuri not show whether to be disgusted or amused. Settling on both, she leaned closer. “I take it your dealer will agree to our little deal as well?”

Dressed comfortable back in his jeans and shirt, D’angelo pulled a loaded magnum from the underside of the table. “Of course,” He said perkily, readying the gun. He kissed the barrel, winking to Yuri. “You’d be amazed what six small pieces of metal threatened to be propelled into a man’s skull can make one agree to…” He set the gun down, lighting up his second cigar for the evening. “Now what’s the catch?”

She became grave, steepling her fingers out towards the light. “I want the location of one of your pushers,” He feigned naivety, Yuri eyes flashing as she spoke through grinding teeth. “Don’t play stupid, it doesn’t suit one such as yourself. This casino isn’t the only thing that’s been keeping you rich, that’s what your lackeys are for. And now, I want the location of a pusher…you need to tell me where David is.”

Blowing a stream of repugnant smoke through the air, he sighed. He frowned somewhat, tapping ash into the glass tray. “Messed you up on a deal…? Didn’t give you the right stuff?” His speech came muffled, cigar back to his lips. “You’ll have to excuse if I wonder why some proper little femme is after one of my men.”

Staring hard to the deck of cards left in the room, she began to shuffle the fifty two cards. “It is not me he messed with…sold a friend of mine crystal meth,” She flung out the cards over the table, fifty-two pick up. She sneered. “She’s been hospitalized ever since…and it wasn’t from an overdose.”

Ah…the shit I can come up with in under ten seconds. I should be a writer…god damn! Simone laughed in the depths of her mind.

Yuri almost smiled, refraining herself so as not to mess up her act. D’angelo got up and walked over to her location, leaning on the table for support. He glanced down to her. “And you expect me to tell you the location of my pusher so YOU can kill him and the higher-ups ride on MY ass?”

“Oh, I do not think he will die,” clarified Yuri, sad at the thought. She cleaned beneath her longer than usual nails. “Rather, he will be comatose, verging on brain dead. Not like you have a choice regardless but…” She scrunched up her brows in curiosity. “Higher-ups?” She stood up, not enjoying being towered over.

“The pushers work for me along with a few others. They give me the majority of their profit, I give a portion of their earnings to the one who gives me the drugs to sell, so forth, so on,” elaborated D’angelo, staring to Yuri skeptically. He shrugged, “You’re right in part, I don’t have a choice so sure, try and kill him. Others have and they’re either dead or seriously f**ked up in the head. My motto for him is ask no questions, hear no lies,” He laid the cigar onto the table.

Yuri folded her arms over her chest, growing impatient. “Smart move…would not have been wise to provoke him…and it is not intelligent to stall me.”

“Right…” His hand suddenly whipped out, catching Yuri’s chin. To her shock, he pulled her close, forcing a smoke filled kiss to her lips. She pulled back immediately, preparing to murder the man, he placing a solitary finger to her lips. “Cathedral,” She paused in the process of sharpening her nails, D’angelo glancing back before continuing. “David…he peddles my wares out in an old Cathedral never properly condemned. He has a fascination with the huge stone place…its downtown, close to the warehouse district, can’t miss it.”

He lowered his hand from her face to a thin bra strap, eyes resting on her cleavage. “If it’s even possible, until sun-up you’ll be kept off the radar and any damage done to my pusher will hold no negative repercussions. That’s a good seven hours if I’m not mistaken.”

Her eyes were glued to the hand trying to slide off a portion of her bra. “You are being far too lenient,” Snatching his hand, she began to squeeze in a vice grip, baring her teeth as a few bones were heard breaking. He pulled his hand away, Yuri balling up a fist and sending it flying into his face. He stumbled back over the table, mouth bloody from the punch.

Spitting aside the lingering taste of smoke in her mouth, she glared. “That is for having the nerve to lay a hand on me. Try something like that again and I can guarantee, like so many others…” She backed up to the door, stopping in the entrance. “…You’ll be dead. Enjoy the rest of your evening, pervert.”

Slamming the door, Yuri made her leave from the crowded casino, ignoring the stares received in only having two articles of clothing on. Now outside to her bike, she felt a slight relief at seeing her clothes folded neatly on top of the seat, a four word letter on pinned to her shirt. “We’ll meet again, -D’angelo.” She scoffed, crumpling up the paper.

So popular with the men, you notice that, right?

Clothes back on, Yuri mounted her bike, tilting her head. I think nowadays men just like the overly b*tchy women or the ones guaranteed to kick their ass. She shrugged, speeding off onto the highway. It must be something along those lines. It was the only conclusion she could come to.

An hour into driving, Yuri landed herself outside a grassy clearing, frowning at a sword swinging silhouette in the distance. Deliberately taking her time, once she reached the figure, she put a hand on her hip with a curious grin. “And just what exactly are you doing?”

The figure, Xornon, stopped in his sword swinging. He sheathed the weapon, wiping off a sweaty brow. “Killing the time. Where’ve you been all this time?”

“Out,” Yuri answered simply. It would have to suffice for the time being. Motioning him to follow, she led him back to her bike, Xornon raising a brow at her ride. She smiled dreamily, mounting the vehicle. She looked to Xornon. “Is it not wonderful?”

“If that’s your thing.”

Revving up the vehicle, Yuri patted the back seat lightly. “Hop on.” He asked where they would be going, getting on behind Yuri nonetheless. Taking a breath, she formed a feral grin. “For a ride…” Her words vanished in the intense rush of air, Yuri laughing devilishly as she sped off in the night to their destination…

((I'm having some problems at home, so I'm afraid I can't take part in this RP any more >__<;... but feel free to use my character.))

ooc: you'll be missed dwarfdude...well, by me anyways........anywho, i wanted to make a post today but i'm feelin alot under the weather right now. hopesfully i'll gets better soon but until then ciao........

(ooc: now that I’m feelin’ better, I figured I should get this…product of my overactive imagination outta my head….)

“Spooky…”

Yuri slowed the bike outside of the glass littered entrance to the huge granite stone chapel, a portion of the dome-esque ceiling completely destroyed, though by what remained a question. Swinging a leg off the vehicle, she made note of the right side of the chapel, the broken stained glass barely standing in their frames, a chill wind whistling through each crack and crevice. The left side was completely untouched by whatever had overwhelmed the building, blue and green shards holding images of holy figures and saints, no signs of being ravaged by time.

From behind, Xornon hopped off, following Yuri as she parked her bike. His gaze stayed fixed on the massive near foreboding structure. “I wouldn’t say spooky…just weird. They tried to rebuild the damn thing so many times but something always went awry,” He raised a brow, orange eyes on Yuri. “The humans say it’s haunted…”

Snorting, Yuri made sure her bike was set in place before addressing Xornon. “I doubt that,” She turned solemn, hands on her hips as she stared to the tall wooden double door entrance. “He has just taking a liking to the place, is all,” Stepping up to the door, she looked to him from the side. “I know I would not want any men intruding upon my home…” She pushed the thick wooden entrance, door swinging open with a noisy creak. “Yet here I stand doing exactly what I would hate of another to do.”

For a second, Yuri became thoughtful, palm still resting against the strangely warm door. The look quickly left her eyes as she and Xornon entered inside the building. On each side of the room was a row of cypress benches, some partially destroyed, others polished and intact, the stone floor of the second level casting a claustrophobic shadow over the duo.

Walking halfway through the room, heels echoing out in the stone path, Yuri paused to look up. The ceiling and second floor had been obliterated. The sky could be clearly seen, moonlight bouncing off the silver chains and organs of the old piano in the chapel. Breathing in the pale light and the cold atmosphere, she glanced to the side, catching a movement in the shadow. Xornon did the same with the exception of his glance being in the opposite direction.

The two said nothing, staring in each and every direction all at once, tensing up at the threat watching in the shadows. Growing annoyed, Yuri reached for the only weapon she had brought with her, a small dagger. In her rush to the kill, she had been careless with picking up items. Waiting for the next movement, she flung the blade into the predicted position, as did Xornon with a small throwing blade.

A sense of disappointment came at not hearing the sound of the metal piercing into flesh, the sweet scent of blood in the air. However, while neither blade had made impact, it did work to get the stranger out of the shadows. On Yuri’s side, with a confident grip on her dagger’s hilt emerged a young man, ostensibly in his twenties.

Dressed in a pair of baggy denim jeans with a black shirt to match, his complexion was an unhealthy pale, brown eyes serious and bitter. Drenched in the scent of cigarettes and cologne, he held nothing but apathy as he dropped the knife to the ground, staring hard to the unflinching Yuri. On Xornon’s side stepped out a similar figure…no, the exact same figure. The only exception being he held an odd sort of illusory image about him, the apathy forced to hide something more.

Breaking the silence of the chapel after hearing the second stiletto fall, Yuri spoke coolly. “I was not expecting this, in all honesty.” She kept her eyes set on the pale man, David, she backing up to Xornon.

Xornon kept his eyes on the mirror image, fingers calmly wrapped around the hilt of his weapon. “You weren’t expecting a twin?”

“Correct,” murmured Yuri, extending her nails with each passing second. She sighed through narrowed eyes. “He is not supposed to have any siblings, not unless Loth overlooked something in his helpful little notes…or not unless…” She directed her next words to the approaching David. “Not unless that is not a twin.”

“So she is not just a mindless killer. How commendable…” drawled out the David on Yuri’s side, voice inhumanly cold. He raised his left hand slowly, tapping the right side of his temple. “It is all a matter of using your head. One can create so much with so little…” His hand slipped to his side, a small sheath visible. “Though it is not as if one of your kind would care for conversation.”

“How true…” smiled Yuri, getting herself into an appropriate fighting stance.

The fake David opposing Xornon pulled from a sheath across his back a huge silver blade, shouting over the two vampires to the real David. “Orders?” Apparently, he didn’t or rather, couldn’t make choices for himself.

David turned his attention away from Yuri to Xornon and his clone. He brooded on the matter for less than a minute. He shrugged. “I do not see the use of this vampire other than to take up space. Waste the motherf**ker.” He said simply.

At this, Xornon looked prepared to kill the real David, a swing from the fake stopping him short. He parried the blow, the fake backing up aloof. The fake lowered his blade, a scratch across his face. Seeing the liquid gently fall down his cheek, he grinned broadly, a deranged smile coming into view as he swung again, fueled by the sight of his blood.

Before he could make contact or Xornon could even counter, the real David shouted in their direction. “Not here!” With those two simple words, both fighters were sent sprawling mid-air and onto what remained of the second floor of the chapel. Satisfied that he and Yuri were isolated, he pocketed his hands as he began to walk the length of the room, the long wooden benches separating the two combatants. “You are quite the tenacious one.”

“A quality I am proud of,” said Yuri, calmly maintaining the same pace as the man opposite her. She let out a low growl, drumming her nails meticulously along her thigh. “You have been in existence possibly even longer than I. Should you not just accept your death…let it come to pass?”

He pulled from his sheath a rapier. Casually, he swung it over his shoulder. “I see no reason to die as of yet. Who are you to make such a decision for me…? Why do you think you have the right?” He looked her over with pure disgust. “Yuri.”

She raised a brow, amused. “I am an assassin, you already know of this. I have the right because life and death are indispensable to one another. There can not be one without the other,” She pointed an accusing finger in his direction. “You disrupt the balance between the two by aimlessly choosing to extend your life and keeping the youthful appearance that comes with it. You neither suffer for your decision nor are you in a reincarnate form. Hence, you are a flaw. And for that…and that alone,” She lowered her hand, no more benches between the two. “I will end your life.”

He waved out his right hand dramatically, organ music bursting forth from the instrument, setting up an unsettling mood with an ominous little melody. “Try…” he challenged, rapier extended in Yuri’s direction.

A smile curled Yuri’s lips as she watched the male dash in her direction. He lunged out skillfully, Yuri easily avoiding the move. Staying on the defensive, she continued to move out the way of each strike and blow, watching for any pattern in his fighting. Catching wind of his technique, she caught his arm as he attempted a lunge to her waist, twisting effortlessly.

A pained cry left his lips, the breaking of his arm reminiscent to the loud sound of a branch being snapped in half. He shouldered her off with his right, performing a kick that just missed hitting her face. Yuri jumped back, untouched, cold metal slithering across her back. She placed a finger to three keys, speaking out the sound. “Dun, dun, duuuuuuuuunnnnnn!!!” Her hazel eyes glowed brilliantly in her enjoyment, the grimace still on David’s face.

Recovering, he switched the rapier from his broken left to his right, carefully weighing the weapon out in hand. Focus away from his dangling arm, with a roar, he started to swing in the vampire’s direction. She prepared to break his second arm, only stopping as his blade changed direction mid-air, now in a direct course for between her eyes.

Caught off-guard and not willing to risk trying to catch the blade, Yuri lashed out a hand to whatever could be found, almost twitching as she managed to stop the tip of his weapon inches from her face. His eyes widened, shocked. A sneaky smile came, Yuri pleased.

David started to push the weapon closer, but at feeling the weapon pull in Yuri’s favor, gave up on the effort. The silver chain around his weapon reflected the distaste in his eyes and partial sense of being impressed. “How resourceful.”

Yuri pulled tighter at the metal chain that had previously been hanging down from the tallest chamber of the organ piano. Smirking, she yanked the weapon down from her face, David taking the opportunity to slide his weapon from the chains hold. He stepped back in an entirely different fighter stance, watching plainly as Yuri swung her chain about.

Getting a hold of the weapon after a few practice moves, she cracked the metal hard down into the stone, a small break in the stone visible from the impact. “Yes…it WILL have to do…now let us try this again, hmm?” Yuri jumped back as David began on the offensive, blocking each blow as she waited for her moment.

*To be continued

Side stepping onto a polished bench, she whipped out the chain, striking the man hard into the hand. He dropped the weapon, trying desperately to ignore the pain coursing up his arm from the solitary blow. He ran to pick up his fallen weapon, Yuri cracking her chain once more and sending the small rapier beneath a chair. He jumped after it, Yuri catching him by the back of his collar.

Kicking him onto his knees, Yuri wrapped a small portion of the chain around his neck, villainous smile starting to form as he struggled for air. Amused at his attempts to hold onto air, she spoke in an evil whisper, heel still grinding into his back. “You should have embraced your death…died like a man. But now you will die on your knees. It fits you…” She tightened the pull on the chain, the pale David growing tomato red. “So, so much. I hope you will enjoy dying alone.”

To her astonishment, a mixture of a laugh and cough left the gentleman dying at her feet. Brown eyes lit with something indescribably, he half said, mostly choked out. “Such a foolish assassin,” The organ began on a crescendo, melody growing fast paced. David’s hold loosened on the binding chains. “I am never truly alone…”

Her grip almost loosened on the chains, eyes gaining a vague hue. There was something she had forgotten, something she had missed while combating the damn near immortal figure. Her heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened, she swearing at the thought.

The woman!!

A breath was heard from behind, the organs purpose having been for more than just setting the mood. Unable to move out the way, all she could do was adjust herself, gasping loudly as the cold piece of metal plunged into her back and through the front. She hissed as the metal was pulled from her skin, lucky to even be alive.

The weapon was pulled back, the holder trying again. Yuri immediately dropped the chains, lashing out to the sneaky figure. The figure dodged, pushing Yuri aside and heading to the side of the coughing David. Wiping off a trace amount of blood sliding down her jaw, Yuri chuckled weakly at the circumstances. Things weren’t going to be as easy as she’d originally thought…and with Xornon still battling the unnaturally strong clone this match would be all on her.

Helping up David was a slender young brunette. Her eyes held a cold sparkle, glittering blue under the trace moonlight. Massaging his bruised arm, she angled her head, kissing passionately to his throat. He smiled at Yuri’s indifference, her hand over her wound. He patted the blonde by his side affectionately. “Like I said…I am never truly alone. She is real, so beautiful…” His arm miraculously healed, he grabbed the woman’s chin gently, delivering a kiss onto her lips. She smiled, stroking his cheek softly once he pulled away. As Yuri rolled her eyes, he stated, “She has been overlooked…she is my sister.”

A look of repulsion immediately crossed Yuri’s face, she wishing she had droned him out once he’d started. Holding back a gag at the apparent incest going on, she took a haggard breath, moving her hand from her wound. She rolled her eyes once more. “Keep THAT kind of shit to yourself…I did not need nor did I want to know that.”

“Is it so wrong?” asked the woman in a feathery soft voice. She pulled away from David, adjusting her mini-skirt over her legs. Despite the less than warm weather, she was sporting a striped red and white tube top, denim jacket casually wrapped around her waist. She stared cynically to Yuri. “You are allowed to kill who you wish…should I not be allowed to love who I want-”

Holding up a bloody hand to deter any more words, Yuri closed her eyes with a grimace. “Again, keep it to yourself.”

She pouted at the interruption. Crossing her arms in disdain, the woman looked up to David. “I think I will step in from here. Kill her where she stands…may I?” She fluttered blue puppy dog eyes up to the male, stroking his arm tenderly.

He gave her a small kiss on her forehead. “Go ahead Missy…but be quick with it. I have better things to do than kill this persistent little wench.”

Missy clapped gleefully, walking up to the wounded Yuri, dagger still in hand. Yuri looked her over in skepticism, maintaining a firm posture despite the pain coursing through her being. She balled up a fist. “Tell me, Missy. Even though I am wounded, I could still dispatch of your lover…brother with ease. What makes you so different? As far as I can tell, you are just about average in the skill department.”

“True,” agreed Missy, dagger playing through the air. She stopped it short. “But here is where we differ. Unlike brother, I have a stronger mental prowess than physically…and also, I am not inclined to fight fair, especially against one of your stature,” She smiled viciously, suspending the blade in mid-air with just her thoughts. Opening her hands, she whispered ecstatic, a strange power felt from where she stood. “Embrace the darkness…” She whispered a verse in a dead language, a laugh soon following after.

Yuri didn’t need to wonder what could be humorous, her vision coming to a halt as Missy’s laugh continued. She had been blinded with just a simple spell but luckily, her other senses were sharpened over the loss of her sight. She backed up at the running footsteps from her front, dodging the swing of a small dagger, evading the sweep of a foot.

She winced at a miscalculation, suffering a minor slash to the cheek. Growing dizzy, Yuri listened to the frenetic dance of the blade, avoiding countless lunges and strikes. She growled, catching the last blow intended to slit her throat. Pulling the woman close, she delivered a sharp blow to her chest, cheek and chin, going for a finishing blow to the head. Missy pulled back just in time, irate over the shiny bruises emerging from her once flawless fair skin.

Yuri gave up on breathing normally, breath coming erratically with each second. The sound of dripping was intensified in her vulnerable state, she helpless to patch up her wound. Steps were heard to the front, a devious whisper. “I am done…I am tired of toying with her,” Yuri hissed as around her spontaneously came a vortex of air, hearing blocked off by the gush of wind. She barely managed to make out the last of Missy’s speech. “It is time for her to die.”

Catching this, Yuri whispered hurriedly to the dormant Simone inside her head. Child, it is time you proved your use.

Confusion could be felt from the teen. What? Body snatcher, I don’t even know what's going on. How come I can no longer feel any of your emotions?

Temporarily diffused our spirits. More on that later, I need you to do something important. I will give you three seconds control over your body where in that time I need you to grab the blue eyed female you WILL see about to stab you.

Why can’t you do it? Why only three seconds?

Yuri spoke urgently, head pounding as she felt Missy grow near. I can not do it because I am blinded however considering we are no longer connected you are not. Only three seconds because any longer than that and I can not guarantee you will not fall unconscious. Feeling Missy mere feet away, she elongated her claws in advance. Do as I say…NOW!! She disappeared into the depths of the teen’s mind, allowing her to emerge.

Simone’s eyes darted to the side, catching the blue eyes brunette in the action of impaling her from her left. She snapped out both hands to Missy’s throat, catching her instead in the ribs. Good enough. Squeezing her nails hard into the shocked woman’s chest, she sneered. “You stupid *****!”

Taking over at the finish of Simone’s little comment, Yuri increased her hold on the woman’s chest, grinding her teeth with a struggle. The sick sound of muscle ripping echoed in the huge white chapel, a scream escaping Missy as her insides were neatly displayed for the world to see. Hurried footsteps heard to her left, Yuri tossed the lifeless corpse in the direction, two bodies crumpling to the ground.

Blood thick in the air, Yuri wiped the sticky liquid from her hands, blinking as her vision started to clear up. A huge pool of blood, a mixture of Missy’s and her own, lay at her feet. A few feet away was the body of the female, eyes staring dully to the sky, David cradling her corpse with an eternal loss.

Coughing up a little blood, Yuri spit out a mixture of saliva and the coppery liquid to the floor, unaffected by what she had done. She strutted confidently towards the anguished David, a sharp stab of wind pushing her back slightly. Brushing it off, she continued on her course to the male, he lashing out with his mind, sending precise small blow after another in her direction, becoming careless as she grew near.

Yuri now towered over him. He tried one last time to end her life. She stopped him before he could even think of the move, a swift grab to his shirt. Pulling him to his feet, her eyes gave off an evil hue. “Goodbye, David.” Her nails were shortened but they were no longer her primary weapons. Baring her fangs in full, she sunk her teeth hard into his neck. She grimaced, his blood far too impure to risk swallowing. Rearing back her head, she ripped out a portion of his neck, the man falling down to the ground near dead.

Spitting out the flesh and veins her teeth had snagged hold of, Yuri glanced up to the fighting Xornon, he neatly beheading the deranged twin, the dead man smiling all the while. “Xornon, we must go!” He didn’t seem to keen on letting the man be, Yuri breaking into a shout. “NOWWWWW!!!”

Xornon paused in impaling the man through the skull, shouting down to her. “What is the sudden rush?!”

From overhead, the once clear sky became clouded, a streak of lightning decorating the skies. A giant’s clap came, lightning striking feet away from Xornon. He jumped down to Yuri’s side, she motioning her head to where he had previously stood, a smoldering spot on the stone. “That is what the sudden rush is,” Pulling the bemuse vampire, Yuri turned to run down the aisle, blinking at the narrow lane making up their path. She pushed Xornon ahead, he keeping a stiff sort of balance as he ran across the narrow path. Yuri ran after, consciousness being her top priority.

Making it across, Yuri explained as she led Xornon to the labyrinth that the chapel had become. “This place…it is a product of my target’s mind. A careful illusion. Once he is dead, the illusion disappears, we along with it so I could not kill him. Instead, he is dying but he would never want to die –completely- alone…he means to take us with him. Trap us in this false realm he has fabricated for himself.”

Running a hand through his hair, Xornon shook his head, starting to make a left. “The weirdest shit I’ve ever…” He didn’t even finish the sentence, shaking his head more severely.

Yuri stopped him from turning, pulling him right. “He has blocked the exit out of his mind…we have to find a backdoor,” Guiding him once more pass the falling portions of the ceiling and the roaring thunder overhead, she finally saw in the distance a small wooden door. Wasting no time, Xornon stepped ahead, kicking the flimsy wood off its frame, the chill night air bringing some sense of realism to the surreal evening.

The two vampires ran outside, shielding themselves from the fierce round of black and purple light escaping the side door of the chapel. An unearthly roar came along with a cruel wind, the fantastic illusion spiraling upwards into the air before vanishing entirely into the calm winter’s night.

Hair completely tousled, Yuri watched the sky, making sure everything was in order before taking a much needed breath. She soon erupted into a coughing fit, doubling over to hide the blood painting her hands. She glanced to Xornon from the side. “Was that not an interesting experience?”

“I had another word for it…” He watched as she burst into another dry cough. “You alright?”

Standing up straight to the wall, Yuri nodded. “I am fine,” She had begun to cover up her wound again but lost the strength, letting her hand fall from the stab that just missed her heart. Exhausted and running low on blood, she allowed her vision to roll upwards. “I just need a little slee…” She couldn’t even finish the thought. Her vision grew dark and with no other words, she collapsed unconscious to the ground...

(ooc: my first ever triple post in a row...if i remember correctly. hows about that...)

(occ: Sorry I've been gone 4 so long I got a job so you know how that is)

Daniel awoke to find a vibrant Aiy staring at him. "Is everything ok." Daniel asked concerned."No everything's fine I was just admiring how peaceful you slept."Airy said. Daniel nodded his head in relief as he sat up reached for his shirt and pants. When he stood up he looked over at the clock which read eight fifty five."Sh*t you didnt tell me it was this late." Daniel said."Late?So I guess it would be too late for you to show me around town huh."Airy said.A smirk came across Daniels face as he agreed.The two got up and walked outside.After standing on a street corner for awhile Daniel yelled out the words "Taxi" and a yellow vehicle stopped letting both Daniel and Airy inside.Airy was somewhat intrigued by what just happened but shrugged it off as they began to head downtown.Airy staring at all of the structures they passed by in amazement.Soon Daniel signalled for the driver to stop.Once stopped they got out and stood before a huge building with a nice waterfall out front."What is this place."Airy asked in wonder."We are at a mall in downtown.The biggest mall in the city.Come there's some things I want to show you."Daniel said pulling Airy's arm along.They first stopped in this big opening where there was a popular music store logo in rows of compact discs.Walking up to a section labeled sample Airy picked up some headphones and began to listen to some music.Finally switching to the genre she wished to listen to then she began to dance as if she was the only one there. Once the song stopped and she realized that there was a quite a few people staring at her. She then felt a rough hand tap her shoulder.Quickly turning around she saw a blonde, redhead,and black haired girl staring at her with thier hands on thier hips."Samantha where have you been?" The blonde asked."Excuse me?"Airy asked confused."Samantha what in the hell happened to you.Captain Shelly said you're off the cheer squad because you've been refusing to show up to school."She said."And who are you again?"Airy asked still confused."It's me Buffy.And who is that fine man you're with is he your boyfriend."Buffy asked pointing at Daniel."Yes I mean no I mean I dont know"Airy said thinking what exactly is a boyfriend."What is wrong with your fashion sense now?Bite me?"Buffy said frowning at the expression on Airy's shirt."No thank you im full."Airy said rubbing her stomach."Look we have more important things to do so if you want back on the cheer squad see us tomorrow.Oh yeah and we like what you did with your hair."Buffy said as she and they other girls walked away laughing.Airy didnt know whether to be insulted or to bust out laughing from the last comment but shook it off when Daniel told her that he had a treat for her."What is it"Airy asked in such anticipation."You'll see"Daniel said walking Airy into a nearby ice cream shop.Once inside Airy began creating an ice cream sundae when the strawberry topping accidentally splashed on a teeenage boy nearby.He looked to be angry but then smiled as he threw nuts at Airy but she ducked and it hit a woman near her. Jumping up the woman threw a cone and someone yelled food fight and next thing she knew food was being thrown everywhere.Airy and Daniel managed to sneak out of the shop.But they were still covered in ice cream.Daniel lead Airy to a nearby clothes store where Airy bought some pants and a pink and white baby phat shirt.Daniel then smiled at Airy as if pleased at her new outfit and walked her outside.As they walked around they saw people holding hands and a man and a woman snuggling on a bench.Seeing them do it Airy then put her hand in his Daniel looked at her with a smile. They then sat on a bench Airy snuggled up close to Daniel she finally asked a question that had been bugging her since the music store."Daniel are you my boyfriend?"

((OOC: WOW!!!!!!!...Holy crap Midnite, that battle scene was awsome. I havent read a battle scene like that in a long time, and the idea about it being an illusion created by Davids mind was f*cking awsome...lol...loved the organ idea too...man, how am I gonna come even close to that?...anywho...I am going to fast forward a tad from the end of my last post, because, quite honestly, anything in between that time would just be a space filler and notihng to write home about...so it's onwards mighty soldiers to the meat of my side quest.))

With a flamboyant spin that sent his white leather long coat billowing, Zen sent his claws slashing through the armed guards throat, causing a fountain of blood to splatter the stone pillar next to a set of large iron gates. Across from him, Orion let the carcass of another guard slide slowly to the slate driveway as he licked the traces of blood from his lips, a tiny trickle of the crimson liquid all that was left to seep from the bite in the mans neck.

Their opponents dispatched, the two lept effortlessly over the stone walls and into the shrubbery on the other side. Parting the leaves of a plant, Orion gazed across the large open, snow covered lawns to the huge mansion at the other end of the grounds.

"I see the General likes to live large," he commented dryly as his gaze shifted to a pair of armed guards ptrolling around the edge of the mansion. "And quite paranoid, it would seem. Who do you think he is afraid will attack him?"

Zen frowned, puzzled. "I'd like to know that myself," he replied quietly as he pushed through the plants and began to move stealthily across the yard, keeping low, his white leathers blending him in with the snow completely. Like a charmeleon, he snuck up to his prey unnoticed and dispatched the two patrolling guards with ease, dragging them behind a nreaby fountain just as another pair rounded a corner of the mansion.

Two sliver glints flashed in the air and the guards dropped to the ground, gargling blood that filled their throats as Zen's daggers hit their mark. Orion watched his brother in awe as he scaled the wall of the mansion like a spider, taking care of a soldier patrolling on the roof, sending the dead carcass flying over the edge where it crashed into the frozen fountain.

When he signalled the all clear, Orion stood, shoving his hands in the pockets of his trench coat as he walked casually up the slate path leading through the centre of the grounds.

Too easy, the presence isseud forth, echoeing Orion's sentiments exactly. He had been worried by his brothers reaction to his earlier question, and now that worry had amplified ten fold at the ease with which Zen had dispatched the guards. Surely someone heard that last fall into the founain?

Orion nodded his head in complete agreement, his brother's troubled expression at his approach giving credence to his worry.

"Something is amiss," Zen stated shortly, eyes darting to the sky. "Pause and notice, brother," Zen pointed to a gap in the snow clouds. "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Stars," replied Orion with brows furrowed. "I assume that is what I am supposed to see?"

"Indeed. But look closely, and you will see that they are distorted...blurry around the edges. Now lick your finger and hold it above your head...tell me how strong the breeze is."

Orion didn't even need to perform the task, his trench coat hanging heavy and limp being evidence enough. His answer came out in a barely audible whisper. "There is no breeze."

"Nor is it cold," Zen replied as he crossed to the fountain and collected a large chunk of broken ice. "Kind of strange, don't you think? Given that we are in the middle of winter." Zed pitched the ice upwards, it ascending at an unbelievable rate, striking an invisble barrier just after it cleared the roof level of the mansion, the entire sky rippling with the impact.

"Trapped like rats," Zen said sourly as he turned his violet eyes on Orion. "It appears, dear borther, that we were expected."

((OOC: I will continue this tomorrow night...getting too late here.))

((ditto midnite. That was freaking awesome, i started reading it this morning, but had to go to school, and i had to print it out, b/c i had to see how it ended, lol. Good stuff, as always))

Xornon quickly lifted Yuri in his arms and carried her to the bike. He sat her in front of him and pulled his jacket off. Tieing the jacket around the both of them, Xornon started the bike.

It had been a long time since he had driven one of these, and Yuri in front of him was not helping. He sped off in the direction of the cave.

On the way there, he stopped at a small store to pick up bandages and such. He hadn't seen the healer around in a while, and he wasn't sure how long it would take till Yuri could get help. He sprinted into the store, got gauze, rubbing alcohol, and medical tape and quickly ran back out of the store, ignoring the little old lady yelling for him to come back and pay.

When he got back out to the bike, Xornon stopped in his tracks. Five guys surrounded the unconsious Yuri, and were poking and stroking her. Before Xornon could say anything, one had picked her off the bike and was carrying her off.

"Excuse me sir, but could you put my friend back on the bike?" Xornon tried to ask politely, but it came out in a threatening, sarcastic tone.

"Why kid, is she your b!tch?" The group chuckled to themselves at the comment. A comment Xornon didn't find funny at all.

"Oh, you think your funny, calling a woman a b!tch huh? You think you have balls just because you can call a sleeping woman, who would probably kick your arse for saying that to her face, a b!tch." Xornon saw the anger flare in the mans face. "I asked once," Xornon said, putting the supplies down and walking towards the guy. "I will not ask again. Put her down."

"Who's gonna make me? You, pretty boy?"

Xornon smiled. "Yep."

The man set Yuri on the ground, obviously unaware of the blatent wounds, as he set her down very roughly. The group walked toward Xornon, all cracking there nuckles. Xornon didn't move until the closest took a swing at his face. Xornon ducked and then struck the mans nose with his palm.

Blood sprayed from his face, and his lifted his hands to hold his very broken nose. Through the blood, he mumbled, "Get the mother ******." Only two moved forward. The other two wanted to keep their face intact for the night.

The two came at Xornon quickly, one swinging low, the other high. Xornon dodged the one aimed at his gut, but took the high in the jaw squarly. He had met to, he wanted to taunt these guys.

"Is that all you got?" Xornon smiled. "I'm not even bleeding." In fact, he was, he just kept the blood in his mouth. But they didn't have to know that. They came at him again, and Xornon quickly borke ones arm, and the others leg, at the knee. When they didn't move to continue the fight, Xornon lifted Yuri back on the bike, and put the supplies in the under seat compartment. Xornon started the bike and sped off, once again, in the direction of the cave.

When they got there, Xornon stuffed the medical things in his pockets and lifted Yuri off the bike, running into the cave.

"Where's the Healer!" he yelled, setting Yuri by the small fire. He pulled hte supplies out of his pocket and started to clean her wounds as best as possible, while trying to keep his desency. Khimaria ran into the room and was instantly by Yuri's side, trying to help. Xornon stood back, letting the woman take care of her.

Xornon sat a few yards away, waiting to see if Yuri would be alright. He curesed himself quitely for not being able to help. He should have helped in the fight. But then again, he had had his hands full. Could he have helped her? He dismissed the thoughts and stared at Khimaria, hopeing the Healer showed up soon.

((scetchy, i know, but i was in a writing mood, so i just let it go))

Originally posted by Trickster
(BTW, it's stake, not steak... That's meat 😉)

Zechariahs smiled,
"I have a hunger for mortal ale. And I'm still hungry. So, take me to the nearest inn, blood brother."
The pair continued walking until they found a bar. Walking down some steps the neon lighting contrasted sharply with the snowfall outside. The dancefloor was bathed in blue, and along one side of the room ran a bar, behind which 5 bar staff awaited the influx of customers soon to arrive. Looking around, Zechariahs grimaced,
"This is what they call an inn nowadays?" Spotting some semi-circular booths at the back of the large square room, he said, "Well, at least we can have some privacy."
Ken grinned at Zechariah's naivety but covered it quickly as he realised that wasn't something Xzaar would have done,
"This is more of a dance club than an inn. Inns have stayed pretty much the same for centuries."

Leading Zechariahs across the floor, they sat down in their own booth and Ken relaxed. Then he realised Zechariahs was staring at him intently.
"Something's changed about you, brother. Could you not handle the imprisonment these sheep delivered upon us?"
Racking his brains and Xzaar's memories for an answer, Ken replied, "Of course I could handle it. Simply the repossession of a vessel has staggered me briefly. Soon you will see what I mean. Delve into the mortal's memories. See what he saw."
Zechariahs looked confused for a moment, then his expression became concentrated. After a minute or so, he spoke again.
"Yes. I see what you mean. His memories bombard my thoughts. I am letting them in one by one, so I am not put in their thrall. He was a student of the university academy. And his favourite drink was vodka." Zechariahs smiled, "Brother, order me one of those, and something for yourself, and you can tell me your story."

Zechariahs carassed the steering wheel in his new sleek convertible. Glancing sideways at the shaking man in the passenger seat, he chuckled. Ken was seated in the back, disgusted at what Zechariahs had just done. They had started walking to the cave when they had to walk through a gang of five or six young men. Laughing at Zechariah's pale skin, they had pushed him. What a mistake that had been.

Whipping his hand outward, Zechariahs had gripped the man who had pushed him. Bringing him close to his body, he had punched the screaming man in the stomach, dropping him to the floor. His friends, outraged at what had just happened, rushed Ken and Zechariahs. Ken had fought off two of them, knocking one unconcious then draining the other of blood. Turning, his vampire nature was fascinated, just as his humanity was disgusted, by Zechariahs' violence.

Two of the guys had rushed him from each side, aiming to punch him. The vampire had blocked them both with a forearm, then swung his hand around to knock away theirs, before delivering a blistering blow to one man's face and turning to face the other. A third man had rushed to the convertible, grabbing a baseball bat, and charged Zechariahs from behind.

However, Zecharaihs had already delivered a knee to his opponent's groin, and followed up with an elbow to the back of his neck. The crack was sickening to Ken, but a look of satisfaction spread across Zechariahs' face. his supernatural senses alerted him to the man behind him, and he spun to face him.

Instead of dodging the downward blow from the bat, Zechariahs simply put up one hand to stop it, wrenching the wooden bat away. Tossing it up in te air with a flick of his wrist, Zechariahs smashed the heel of his hand into the man's chest, catching the bat by the handle as it fell, and swinging it into the side of his head. Dropping the bat, he reached out and brought the heavyset man to him, draining him of blood.

A revving sound snatched both of their attention. The convertible was starting up, the man Zechariahs had first dropped was trying to start it. Snarling, Zechariahs leapt at the veichle, jumping into its open top and pushing the man into the passenger seat away from the wheel, which he seated himself at. Looking back at Ken, he called,
"Get in, brother! We will make a faster journey this way!"

Ken vaulted into the back, thoughtfully pressing the locks down as the man tried the door handle, then watched Zechariahs caress the wheel.