In a small house off a winding little street in the residential district, Amira Lum was carefully unpacking her belongings. She folded each article of clothing – in muted colors, but of an expensive, soft fabric – into meticulously creased squares, which she nestled together in the drawer with efficient care. The last remaining gown in her possession she left in the trunk, which she unceremoniously shoved under her bed, raising a light mist of white dust. Thus arrived Amira Lum, quietly, without importance. She stood, looking around the room, a mournful smile curling her lips.
Seeking fresh air, she soon stepped outside, inhaling deeply, then letting the air out with an equally heavy sigh. Her fingernails clicking against the hilt of her sword, she stepped to the edge of the street, looking around. Surely there was something to do in this city, something to distract her from the dull ache of loss that pounded at her temples. She began to walk slowly in a random direction, looking around occasionally, but mainly staring straight ahead, as if whatever it was she sought would appear right in front of her angular nose. Silly, that. But she was not in the state of mind for logical thought. Humming softly, she let her mind wander.
Gradually, her steps slowed, and she turned back around, realizing she had no idea how to get around, and probably should not be wandering so close to sunset...what? She looked up, finally registering how dark it had become. She hadn't realized she had been walking that long. Quickening her pace, she hurried towards home...towards her house. Not home. Never home.
She had no home.
An Inconsequential Arrival
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
It was the moment when her fear and uncertainty collided, making her jolt to awareness of her surroundings. Making her realize that she was in danger, and that something might attack her, alone and in the dark as she was.
Watching the woman move by, then pause and take in the scenery, reel from her perceived danger, and begin a hurried stride toward home...that was the moment Jenica's predator awakened, focusing in on the sole figure, the heartbeat pulsing gently beneath the breast.
Tantalizing.
Swift, but not necessarily silent, Jenica moved. Yesterday, she'd washed filth from her body in the woods, bathed until she felt the civilization leave her pores, and then attacked a young couple. The man's clothes were the largest pieces that remained, and they hung loosely on the vampire's neglected frame.
To observe her flesh and musculature, one would naturally assume she was weak - thin, clearly malnourished, and with ill-worked muscles. But the vampire's strength came supernaturally, and she'd come to rely only on her magical abilities. Without her vampirism, her body would turn to ash.
She was no invisible predator, melting into the shadows and striking at random. She enjoyed fear, and she enjoyed stalking. She was bold and brash, and also young, so she centered herself in the lane behind the woman and followed. A quiet chuckle rumbled in her belly - the hunger laughing at this delightful new game.
Watching the woman move by, then pause and take in the scenery, reel from her perceived danger, and begin a hurried stride toward home...that was the moment Jenica's predator awakened, focusing in on the sole figure, the heartbeat pulsing gently beneath the breast.
Tantalizing.
Swift, but not necessarily silent, Jenica moved. Yesterday, she'd washed filth from her body in the woods, bathed until she felt the civilization leave her pores, and then attacked a young couple. The man's clothes were the largest pieces that remained, and they hung loosely on the vampire's neglected frame.
To observe her flesh and musculature, one would naturally assume she was weak - thin, clearly malnourished, and with ill-worked muscles. But the vampire's strength came supernaturally, and she'd come to rely only on her magical abilities. Without her vampirism, her body would turn to ash.
She was no invisible predator, melting into the shadows and striking at random. She enjoyed fear, and she enjoyed stalking. She was bold and brash, and also young, so she centered herself in the lane behind the woman and followed. A quiet chuckle rumbled in her belly - the hunger laughing at this delightful new game.
Amira paused for a moment, tilting her head slightly. Had she heard something, or was it only a figment of her imagination, a remnant of some forgotten dream? She shook her head dismissively, and began walking again, but her stride became longer and more purposeful, and her hand wandered to the hilt of her sword, her fingers twining around it. She gave an almost imperceptible tug, loosening the weapon in its scabbard. Not that anything was there...but...just in case. It couldn't hurt to be prepared.
It would be so easy to just look around, to steal a glance over her shoulder. Somehow, though, she feared that this, itself, was a dream, another one of her mind's sadistic tricks, and she was afraid to see what might be lurking-not-lurking behind her, to add another horrific unreality to her thoughts. And yet, if this were real...Her breath shuddered in her chest. She had thought she would be safe here. Nothing could harm her here, so far from home.
Perhaps, though, there was no danger; perhaps it was just another resident, going for a stroll as she was. In the dark? Well, it wasn't any more suspicious than her own nocturnal wanderings. She wouldn't look around, for the fear that this was another dream remained, but she could ask...well, if it was something dangerous, she hadn't really bothered to conceal her location before now, so speaking couldn't hurt anything. Probably. She cleared her throat softly, but her voice still came out in a hoarse squeak as she asked, “Is someone there?”
It would be so easy to just look around, to steal a glance over her shoulder. Somehow, though, she feared that this, itself, was a dream, another one of her mind's sadistic tricks, and she was afraid to see what might be lurking-not-lurking behind her, to add another horrific unreality to her thoughts. And yet, if this were real...Her breath shuddered in her chest. She had thought she would be safe here. Nothing could harm her here, so far from home.
Perhaps, though, there was no danger; perhaps it was just another resident, going for a stroll as she was. In the dark? Well, it wasn't any more suspicious than her own nocturnal wanderings. She wouldn't look around, for the fear that this was another dream remained, but she could ask...well, if it was something dangerous, she hadn't really bothered to conceal her location before now, so speaking couldn't hurt anything. Probably. She cleared her throat softly, but her voice still came out in a hoarse squeak as she asked, “Is someone there?”
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
The woman stiffened, her pace became twinged with the hesitant jerks of stalked prey. Jenica sniffed the air, a careful, calculated motion, as her lungs were still healing from their violent assault only days prior. She'd gauged that it might take a full seven days before her body was able to finish healing itself, and she had to maintain a steady diet of fresh victims for this healing to occur.
But this woman was slight and small, too short to provide more than a few hour's worth of meal. But Jenica didn't think in terms of how filling a human was; she thought in terms of fun and games. This scared little mouse would entertain her for a while to come, perhaps longer. She wondered how long she could keep a human alive before it died of blood loss, or pain, or shock.
Then the human's voice wafted back to her, and the vampire perked with interest. She enjoyed the ones who were aware of their surroundings. Their jerks of surprise were the most entertaining, muscles tensed for the snap to attention. Jenica decided to answer. She'd never done so before.
"Yes."
Where the woman's voice was hoarse from some amount of tension, Jenica's was rusty and cracked due to windpipe damage. Her voice would never sound better than a husky singer's, and at the moment, it sounded almost inhuman. The vampire was surprised by her own voice; she hadn't expected it to sound quite so awful. She watched the woman for a reaction.
But this woman was slight and small, too short to provide more than a few hour's worth of meal. But Jenica didn't think in terms of how filling a human was; she thought in terms of fun and games. This scared little mouse would entertain her for a while to come, perhaps longer. She wondered how long she could keep a human alive before it died of blood loss, or pain, or shock.
Then the human's voice wafted back to her, and the vampire perked with interest. She enjoyed the ones who were aware of their surroundings. Their jerks of surprise were the most entertaining, muscles tensed for the snap to attention. Jenica decided to answer. She'd never done so before.
"Yes."
Where the woman's voice was hoarse from some amount of tension, Jenica's was rusty and cracked due to windpipe damage. Her voice would never sound better than a husky singer's, and at the moment, it sounded almost inhuman. The vampire was surprised by her own voice; she hadn't expected it to sound quite so awful. She watched the woman for a reaction.
The voice's strangeness frightened Amira, at least momentarily, but didn't surprise her. It further confirmed her suspicions: none of this was real. What living thing could possibly sound like that? She could barely understand the word, simple as it was. “Yes.” Simple, but somehow...ominous.
She slowed to a stop, her grip tightening on her sword as a sliver of blade revealed itself above the edge of the scabbard. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she could feel the pulse in her fingers pounding against the hilt they grasped as her heart beat at a quickened pace. She turned around.
Squinting in the darkness, she looked at what was – what must have been – just a human. And yet something felt wrong. This was more than a chance encounter with a friendly neighbor. The voice, and the darkness, and...it just wasn't right. She took a step backwards, jerking unnecessarily as her heel caught on a loose stone.
“Who are you?” she whispered almost inaudibly, then, after clearing her throat, louder: “Did you want something?” What she meant was "What are you?" and "Why are you following me?" but...well, after all, why be rude?
She really was dense sometimes.
((OOC: edited for a horrendous grammatical mistake that I noticed much later...))
She slowed to a stop, her grip tightening on her sword as a sliver of blade revealed itself above the edge of the scabbard. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she could feel the pulse in her fingers pounding against the hilt they grasped as her heart beat at a quickened pace. She turned around.
Squinting in the darkness, she looked at what was – what must have been – just a human. And yet something felt wrong. This was more than a chance encounter with a friendly neighbor. The voice, and the darkness, and...it just wasn't right. She took a step backwards, jerking unnecessarily as her heel caught on a loose stone.
“Who are you?” she whispered almost inaudibly, then, after clearing her throat, louder: “Did you want something?” What she meant was "What are you?" and "Why are you following me?" but...well, after all, why be rude?
She really was dense sometimes.
((OOC: edited for a horrendous grammatical mistake that I noticed much later...))
Last edited by Amira Lum on Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
This was what fascinated Jenica. When confronted with something dangerous, and almost blatantly non-human, they always asked who instead of what. She couldn't remember her own attack and turning, only bits and pieces and the face of her sire. But she liked to think that she'd at least known what she was doing when she was turned. That she knew what it was clinging to her and tearing a hole in her throat.
Humans had too many social rules to follow, limiting their actions and questions. This girl didn't want to ask those questions, but some social idea was holding her tongue.
Jenica ignored the first question, and answered the second.
"To feed."
The vampire cocked her head and shuttered her eyes to dampen the red in her irises. She didn't want this one to run, but she did want to play.
"That's not what you want to ask."
It was the most she'd spoken in ages, and her voice reflected that by crackling more and more as the sentence continued. She spoke deliberately, with a measured pace. She wasn't a creature prone to chats.
Humans had too many social rules to follow, limiting their actions and questions. This girl didn't want to ask those questions, but some social idea was holding her tongue.
Jenica ignored the first question, and answered the second.
"To feed."
The vampire cocked her head and shuttered her eyes to dampen the red in her irises. She didn't want this one to run, but she did want to play.
"That's not what you want to ask."
It was the most she'd spoken in ages, and her voice reflected that by crackling more and more as the sentence continued. She spoke deliberately, with a measured pace. She wasn't a creature prone to chats.
Not to eat, but to feed. So either not human, or not...normal. If Amira had any food in her house, she would offer some to this...a vagrant, was she?...but her pantry was, for the moment, bare. Besides, she wasn't sure that the kind of nourishment she could offer would satisfy this...this...
She was tired of feeling around in her mind for words that weren't “creature” or thing.” Was she afraid of offending a figment of her imagination? She needed to remind herself that that was all this was.
She had to strain to understand the last sentence as the voice which formed it broke. “That's not what you want to ask.” How did she know? A mind-reader? Or just strangely perceptive? Well, that settled it. The figment wanted Amira to ask, so she would.
“What are you? I mean...are you human, or...”
Still and all, there was the risk – albeit a small one – that this was actually happening, and Amira continued her steady backwards migration, her feet making slow, shuffling baby steps in what she hoped was the direction of her house.
To feed. How Amira wished she had a leg of lamb or some such foodstuff handy to offer, so they could both just go on their way. She sensed it would not be that easy.
She was tired of feeling around in her mind for words that weren't “creature” or thing.” Was she afraid of offending a figment of her imagination? She needed to remind herself that that was all this was.
She had to strain to understand the last sentence as the voice which formed it broke. “That's not what you want to ask.” How did she know? A mind-reader? Or just strangely perceptive? Well, that settled it. The figment wanted Amira to ask, so she would.
“What are you? I mean...are you human, or...”
Still and all, there was the risk – albeit a small one – that this was actually happening, and Amira continued her steady backwards migration, her feet making slow, shuffling baby steps in what she hoped was the direction of her house.
To feed. How Amira wished she had a leg of lamb or some such foodstuff handy to offer, so they could both just go on their way. She sensed it would not be that easy.
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
There it was, the question she loved almost more than the kill itself. She'd instigated it early this time, to amuse herself, to see if the human would have the courage to break social norm and ask. She was impressed when this happened. For some, it was too much, even when staring at their death.
The woman was moving away, slow and sure. Jenica didn't pursue. She crouched where she was, planting her right hand on the ground before her, eyeing the shadows in the road. The ones nearest to her wriggled and twitched, itching for fun. They liked her version of fun. But she didn't want to use them tonight. She needed to conserve her strength, and the shadows sucked enough of her strength to hurt. She still needed to heal, after all.
Still crouched and watching the ground, she worked out a response to further the game in her head. A straight answer made them leave. But a roundabout one...
"Don't bother running."
She tilted her head and stared straight into the woman's face. Revealing her species would give away to game too quickly. No, it was much better to drag it out, to give the woman hints and clues. She wondered how long it would be until the woman figured it all out.
The woman was moving away, slow and sure. Jenica didn't pursue. She crouched where she was, planting her right hand on the ground before her, eyeing the shadows in the road. The ones nearest to her wriggled and twitched, itching for fun. They liked her version of fun. But she didn't want to use them tonight. She needed to conserve her strength, and the shadows sucked enough of her strength to hurt. She still needed to heal, after all.
Still crouched and watching the ground, she worked out a response to further the game in her head. A straight answer made them leave. But a roundabout one...
"Don't bother running."
She tilted her head and stared straight into the woman's face. Revealing her species would give away to game too quickly. No, it was much better to drag it out, to give the woman hints and clues. She wondered how long it would be until the woman figured it all out.
The woman's response – for Amira was at least reasonably sure she was female, though perhaps not a “woman” in the sense of human – was no answer, but it was telling enough. Amira had gotten herself in deep trouble.
She didn't suppose it was still possible that this wasn't real? Probably too much to hope. It made too much sense to be another dream. Amira stifled a nervous laugh. She was standing on a dark street, facing some woman-creature-thing that obviously wanted to kill her, after spending the last months of her life trying to find somewhere where she wouldn't be in danger, and it made too much sense? She had found a new low.
She considered her options. She could run, and hope that the woman was bluffing. Few could catch up to Amira when she wanted to be fast. Unfortunately, the woman's words had a undeniably genuine ring, and Amira believed that trying to flee would be useless.
Her sword was still at the ready; she could stand and fight. However, she hadn't practiced with a partner for months, and she wasn't sure if what was left of her skill would be enough to overcome a real opponent. Granted, the woman-thing didn't look very strong, from what she could see, but looks can be deceiving, and Amira doubted that an absolute weakling would be so bold in her approach.
As far as she could see, though, there was no third choice, save to give up, which was no choice at all.
She didn't want to try and fight. Not here, not alone. So, watching the woman-thing warily, she took another step back, leaning her weight on the stepping foot, turned, and sprinted away, hoping against hope that the threatening words were only a bluff, that she would be too fast to catch.
Somehow, though, she already knew that things wouldn't turn out that way.
She didn't suppose it was still possible that this wasn't real? Probably too much to hope. It made too much sense to be another dream. Amira stifled a nervous laugh. She was standing on a dark street, facing some woman-creature-thing that obviously wanted to kill her, after spending the last months of her life trying to find somewhere where she wouldn't be in danger, and it made too much sense? She had found a new low.
She considered her options. She could run, and hope that the woman was bluffing. Few could catch up to Amira when she wanted to be fast. Unfortunately, the woman's words had a undeniably genuine ring, and Amira believed that trying to flee would be useless.
Her sword was still at the ready; she could stand and fight. However, she hadn't practiced with a partner for months, and she wasn't sure if what was left of her skill would be enough to overcome a real opponent. Granted, the woman-thing didn't look very strong, from what she could see, but looks can be deceiving, and Amira doubted that an absolute weakling would be so bold in her approach.
As far as she could see, though, there was no third choice, save to give up, which was no choice at all.
She didn't want to try and fight. Not here, not alone. So, watching the woman-thing warily, she took another step back, leaning her weight on the stepping foot, turned, and sprinted away, hoping against hope that the threatening words were only a bluff, that she would be too fast to catch.
Somehow, though, she already knew that things wouldn't turn out that way.
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
Jenica watched the woman weight her response. She could see features and make out quirks in the darkness; her eyes worked easier when shadows were around.
Now she saw the hilt, and her interest sparked. Was the woman a fighter? A trained one, perhaps? Jenica reached to her side and found herself without her own katana. She'd forgotten that she'd lost it a few days ago, in the woods, while her sire ripped her stomach open. Her knife was gone as well; she had no weapons besides her vampirism. She would have to play this all by fear and mauling.
She snorted to herself. She didn't care for the katana as much anymore; it was only useful for needed defense. But the knife was saturated with the blood of so many games - humans - that she had some sense of attachment to the thing. No matter. She'd just have to steal a new one from a human.
Perhaps from this human. She had a sword, after all.
Jenica watched the woman break into a rapid sprint. She didn't move for a moment, then slowly straightened her body, eyes fixed on the figure moving farther and farther.
Jenica decided to follow.
She slid to the side of the road now, into the shadows that were her home, and began steadily tracking the frightened woman. She didn't stay right behind her; instead, the vampire kept her distance, giving the woman space to roam. She followed the sense and the sound of her footfalls against the earth. She wondered if the woman were running home. A most convenient trap; humans felt safe within their own confines.
Now she saw the hilt, and her interest sparked. Was the woman a fighter? A trained one, perhaps? Jenica reached to her side and found herself without her own katana. She'd forgotten that she'd lost it a few days ago, in the woods, while her sire ripped her stomach open. Her knife was gone as well; she had no weapons besides her vampirism. She would have to play this all by fear and mauling.
She snorted to herself. She didn't care for the katana as much anymore; it was only useful for needed defense. But the knife was saturated with the blood of so many games - humans - that she had some sense of attachment to the thing. No matter. She'd just have to steal a new one from a human.
Perhaps from this human. She had a sword, after all.
Jenica watched the woman break into a rapid sprint. She didn't move for a moment, then slowly straightened her body, eyes fixed on the figure moving farther and farther.
Jenica decided to follow.
She slid to the side of the road now, into the shadows that were her home, and began steadily tracking the frightened woman. She didn't stay right behind her; instead, the vampire kept her distance, giving the woman space to roam. She followed the sense and the sound of her footfalls against the earth. She wondered if the woman were running home. A most convenient trap; humans felt safe within their own confines.
Amira was indeed running home, or so she hoped, as she searched in the darkness for any recognizable landmark. Luckily, she thought, she had lost none of her speed; her feet beat against the ground in a rhythm almost as fast as her rapidly pulsing heartbeat. Somehow, she managed not to get completely lost, although she almost had to stop a few times and remember which way to turn. Finally, after much longer than she had expected – how long had she been walking? -- she found the little street, and the little house, and the door that she leaned against in complete relief. She had made it.
Ducking inside, she slammed the door shut behind her and fumbled to close the latch, surprised at how difficult her shaking hands made the task. But it didn't matter. She was safe, inside.
She sat down unceremoniously by the door, pulling off her boots and tossing them to one side. So it had been a bluff. Don't bother running? Ridiculous. The woman – for it must have been a woman, nothing supernatural or any such nonsense – hadn't even been able to follow her, it seemed. She'd lost her within seconds. Why had Amira worried?
She laughed, leaning her head back against the wall. So, not a dream. But not the death of her, either. She'd just have to be more careful, that was all. No wandering around in the middle of the night. That had been inexcusably stupid. But there would be no repeat offense, Amira assured herself of that. Just be careful, and you'll be safe.
She closed her eyes wearily. In just a moment, she'd get up and wash off the sweat, formed by fright and exertion, that stickied her face and palms. Just one moment.
Ducking inside, she slammed the door shut behind her and fumbled to close the latch, surprised at how difficult her shaking hands made the task. But it didn't matter. She was safe, inside.
She sat down unceremoniously by the door, pulling off her boots and tossing them to one side. So it had been a bluff. Don't bother running? Ridiculous. The woman – for it must have been a woman, nothing supernatural or any such nonsense – hadn't even been able to follow her, it seemed. She'd lost her within seconds. Why had Amira worried?
She laughed, leaning her head back against the wall. So, not a dream. But not the death of her, either. She'd just have to be more careful, that was all. No wandering around in the middle of the night. That had been inexcusably stupid. But there would be no repeat offense, Amira assured herself of that. Just be careful, and you'll be safe.
She closed her eyes wearily. In just a moment, she'd get up and wash off the sweat, formed by fright and exertion, that stickied her face and palms. Just one moment.
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
Jenica followed at a steady pace until she felt certain of where the human was heading. Humans were predictable in so many ways. They never thought to take back roads to fool an enemy - no, the straightest course with the least veers was the fastest, and therefore safest, option.
The woman slammed into her own home and threw the latch. Jenica stopped about twenty feet away, eyeing the house with glazed eyes. It was inconsequential, kindling for a fire, but it was in her way.
She didn't want to go in through the front door. It was too obvious, and would make the woman scream and throw her weight against the other side. The vampire could fight her way in, but she preferred a stealthy, silent entry, one which would draw a gasp rather than a shriek. The startled prey's look as its eyes widened and it realized there was nowhere else to run.
She circled around, casual and relaxed, until she found the back door. She eyed the lock, knowing that kicking in the frame would give her away too quickly and spoil her fun. The shadows, then. Her tinkering little brethren, itching and desperate for a game of their own to play.
She crouched before the lock and place her right palm over the keyhole, then focused her mind on the shadows within the latch. The wiggled and squirmed for her, sliding and clicking until the mechanism gave way, and the door stood unbolted and free. The vampire smiled. Such minimal effort for such deadly access.
She stood and slid through the doorway, tapping it closed behind her and allowing the shadows to slide back to their normal places and leave the door locked again. Let the human ponder that, if she still had eyes to see or hands to feel.
She hadn't been quiet with the door, but she hadn't slammed it, either. It was the simple, unmistakeable sound of a door closing and latching into place that echoed through the small house, down the narrow hallway toward where the human sat. Jenica sniffed the air, and smelled some fear. She nearly smiled.
The woman slammed into her own home and threw the latch. Jenica stopped about twenty feet away, eyeing the house with glazed eyes. It was inconsequential, kindling for a fire, but it was in her way.
She didn't want to go in through the front door. It was too obvious, and would make the woman scream and throw her weight against the other side. The vampire could fight her way in, but she preferred a stealthy, silent entry, one which would draw a gasp rather than a shriek. The startled prey's look as its eyes widened and it realized there was nowhere else to run.
She circled around, casual and relaxed, until she found the back door. She eyed the lock, knowing that kicking in the frame would give her away too quickly and spoil her fun. The shadows, then. Her tinkering little brethren, itching and desperate for a game of their own to play.
She crouched before the lock and place her right palm over the keyhole, then focused her mind on the shadows within the latch. The wiggled and squirmed for her, sliding and clicking until the mechanism gave way, and the door stood unbolted and free. The vampire smiled. Such minimal effort for such deadly access.
She stood and slid through the doorway, tapping it closed behind her and allowing the shadows to slide back to their normal places and leave the door locked again. Let the human ponder that, if she still had eyes to see or hands to feel.
She hadn't been quiet with the door, but she hadn't slammed it, either. It was the simple, unmistakeable sound of a door closing and latching into place that echoed through the small house, down the narrow hallway toward where the human sat. Jenica sniffed the air, and smelled some fear. She nearly smiled.
She looked up at the noise, a frown creasing her brow. Her recent scare was making her hear things, surely. The only other door in the house was locked. It hadn't opened. She was just frightening herself all over again. Probably, it had been the wind, blowing something over in the backyard.
Still, it couldn't hurt to check. This time, she drew her sword, its finely polished, sharpened blade reflecting brief flashes of candlelight. Just to be safe. If something was waiting for her...which it wasn't...there would be nowhere to run. She would have to fight.
Stepping softly – so the wind wouldn't hear her approach? -- she crept towards the kitchen, knowing full well that any intruder would expect her, and, further, would most likely be able to smell the disgusting odor of filth and sweat that lingered on her clothes and skin. She tiptoed anyway, hoping for any advantage she could muster, no matter how small.
Finally, she came to the tall archway that led into the kitchen, where she was certain she would find nothing. Stepping through, she gripped her sword so tightly that her fingers turned white, their circulation cut off. Nevertheless, it was all she could do not to drop the weapon as she looked into the kitchen, and saw that it was not the wind, and she had not been hearing things. She made no sound, only stared, not understanding.
“Get out,” she croaked finally, nonsensically. “Get out!”
Still, it couldn't hurt to check. This time, she drew her sword, its finely polished, sharpened blade reflecting brief flashes of candlelight. Just to be safe. If something was waiting for her...which it wasn't...there would be nowhere to run. She would have to fight.
Stepping softly – so the wind wouldn't hear her approach? -- she crept towards the kitchen, knowing full well that any intruder would expect her, and, further, would most likely be able to smell the disgusting odor of filth and sweat that lingered on her clothes and skin. She tiptoed anyway, hoping for any advantage she could muster, no matter how small.
Finally, she came to the tall archway that led into the kitchen, where she was certain she would find nothing. Stepping through, she gripped her sword so tightly that her fingers turned white, their circulation cut off. Nevertheless, it was all she could do not to drop the weapon as she looked into the kitchen, and saw that it was not the wind, and she had not been hearing things. She made no sound, only stared, not understanding.
“Get out,” she croaked finally, nonsensically. “Get out!”
-
Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
She could smell and hear the woman moving forward, always forward. The vampire didn't bother to try and conceal herself, or hide in the shadows. She wanted the woman to know how useless running was, and how vulnerable she was. It was pointless to play the game any other way.
The woman's eyes took a moment to register the sight. Jenica wasn't covered in as much dirt and grime and usual, but she still didn't care a thing about her appearance, and the ragtag clothes and her scruffy hair spoke to this effect. There was nothing pristine or elegant about her, and barely a hint of civility. Even her voice was wild and uneven. She was chaos embodied.
And she was hungry.
She focused her red-tinted gaze on the woman now, sizing the prey up for inspection. The woman held the blade as a trained person would, which made her athletic and healthy. This was very good; the athletic ones had the most nourishing blood. Though drunkards could be fun.
The plea came then, a warbling beg for her to vacate the premises, to leave this human sanctuary its false sense of security. The vampire's mere presence violated the sacred hearth, but the human sought, always and forever, to make it safe once again. But of course, if the human lived on, she would never forget this moment, when an invader stood before her, calm and collected, violence waiting to happen.
Jenica snorted at the woman's request. It was reflex and foolish, but perhaps it had been worth the try. Instead of speaking, she shook her head, eyes now fixed on the woman's face. No reason to speak.
The woman's eyes took a moment to register the sight. Jenica wasn't covered in as much dirt and grime and usual, but she still didn't care a thing about her appearance, and the ragtag clothes and her scruffy hair spoke to this effect. There was nothing pristine or elegant about her, and barely a hint of civility. Even her voice was wild and uneven. She was chaos embodied.
And she was hungry.
She focused her red-tinted gaze on the woman now, sizing the prey up for inspection. The woman held the blade as a trained person would, which made her athletic and healthy. This was very good; the athletic ones had the most nourishing blood. Though drunkards could be fun.
The plea came then, a warbling beg for her to vacate the premises, to leave this human sanctuary its false sense of security. The vampire's mere presence violated the sacred hearth, but the human sought, always and forever, to make it safe once again. But of course, if the human lived on, she would never forget this moment, when an invader stood before her, calm and collected, violence waiting to happen.
Jenica snorted at the woman's request. It was reflex and foolish, but perhaps it had been worth the try. Instead of speaking, she shook her head, eyes now fixed on the woman's face. No reason to speak.
How dare she? How dare this woman-thing invade Amira's house, the closest thing she had to a home, never mind that she'd never slept a night there? How dare she follow her, threaten her, taunt her like this? Was this all a sadistic joke to her? It certainly wasn't funny. The silent response to Amira's demand, and the fixed gaze of those strange, terrible eyes, cinched it. Amira returned the stare, her gaze suddenly laced with haughty nobility, and a false mask of confidence. Confusion, fear, and rage...they made a potent mix.
Adrenaline racing through her tired limbs, Amira leapt forward, closing the distance between her and the invader. The woman-thing looked weak (looks can be deceptive!), and seemed weaponless (they were probably just hidden somewhere), and Amira was tired of running (she didn't much want to fight either!). She would fight, and she would win. Maybe. Gritting her teeth, she swung her sword at the woman-thing's torso, level with the chest. She wasn't going to give up easily.
Adrenaline racing through her tired limbs, Amira leapt forward, closing the distance between her and the invader. The woman-thing looked weak (looks can be deceptive!), and seemed weaponless (they were probably just hidden somewhere), and Amira was tired of running (she didn't much want to fight either!). She would fight, and she would win. Maybe. Gritting her teeth, she swung her sword at the woman-thing's torso, level with the chest. She wasn't going to give up easily.