She watched, drawing breaths that shuddered with a combination of pain and adrenaline - adrenaline which kept her heart beating at a frightening pace, pulsing the blood against her hand with terrible rapidity. It was best to sit, to abandon all attempts to act, for now, to let the rush of blood slow.
And so she watched, as the man and the vampire slowly began a dance which would, inevitably, lead to a struggle. A fatal dance...but who was leading?
Valz, whom she recognized now as the man who'd offered her assistance after their last encounter with the beast, was obviously trying to protect her, to put himself between Amira and the vampire. Which was confusing. He had burst into a stranger's home, putting himself in danger to help someone he didn't know. And now, having escaped that peril, he was throwing himself between a vicious predator and her prey - to what end? What, after all, could he expect in return, beyond gratitude? Nothing. His apparent selflessness was disconcerting.
In his place, she would have never done the same. It wasn't that she had no sense of charity, no noble desire to help others. But in any situation, she knew she would preserve her life over that of a stranger. How could anyone do otherwise? Of course, she was grateful that this man had adopted a different outlook, but...still, it was unsettling.
Well, she certainly couldn't let him be harmed for her sake, then, could she? She eyed the vampire, frowning. The creature had inched closer to where Amira lay, and if she continued to do so...well. Amira still had her sword, after all. Granted, drawing it would be somewhere between awkward and impossible at this point, but...she might be able to manage. She hoped.
An Unwelcome Reunion
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Valz Malar
- Citizen
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:03 am
- Race: Human
Valz was truly worried that he was losing his mind. As he and the vampire mirrored each other, striving for some kind of advantage, he couldn’t keep his mind focused. Thoughts jumped into his head, some random some specific.
He hadn’t eaten yet today.
The dusky sunlight outlined the rooftops beautifully.
The blood seeping through the fingers of the woman on the ground was the brightest red Valz had ever seen.
The bread being baked for tomorrow had smelled so good when he was on his way to this showdown.
A girl from a neighboring farm dancing with him after the harvest festival when he was a young child, before he was forced off on his own.
“What was her name?” He thought.
With a startle he snapped back to reality. The vampire was standing stock still, eye-lids half closed, head tilted, watching him. Valz realized he hadn’t even been paying attention, his body moved instinctively, but his mind wasn’t there. It was a miracle he and the woman on the ground were still alive. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been less prepared against a more dangerous adversary. Silently thanking whatever, if any, gods were listening for the second chance, he stopped his circling. While distracted the vampire had been mirroring him. Now he stood closer to her, and she closer the woman on the ground than when he had started. Inwardly cursing he realized that his inattention had almost brought the creature back to her prey. It would be one thing to die by his own fault, but to bring about the death of another because he couldn’t stay focused was intolerable.
Taking a step back to provide some reaction distance and thinking room, Valz rethought the situation. They were almost at an impasse: the three of them forming the points of an ever shrinking triangle. His eyes slid off the creature and onto the woman on the ground. She looked broken, but less so than when she first fell. His eyes naturally saw her sword and he remembered her at the moment when he first saw her, stalking out of a darkened room, bloody sword in hand, chasing the vampire out of her house. He knew she was strong, inside and out. If he could buy just a little more time she could come into play and change the odds. Looking at the triangle the three of them made Valz realized that with a little effort and maneuvering the three of them would be online, the vampire in the middle. If he was trying to protect the woman it wouldn’t make sense to put the beast in between them, but what if she no longer needed protection?
Totally focused on the vampire, really seeing her, stringy black hair, body so encrusted with dirt that it was hard to tell where clothing ended and skin began, she stood before him like a statue. Staring into her face Valz took one more chance at a dance, stepping another step back and two to the right he tried to get her to follow again, placing herself into a trap between the two of them. If this failed he would have to totally throw caution to the wind and buy time with his body for the woman to get away…
He hadn’t eaten yet today.
The dusky sunlight outlined the rooftops beautifully.
The blood seeping through the fingers of the woman on the ground was the brightest red Valz had ever seen.
The bread being baked for tomorrow had smelled so good when he was on his way to this showdown.
A girl from a neighboring farm dancing with him after the harvest festival when he was a young child, before he was forced off on his own.
“What was her name?” He thought.
With a startle he snapped back to reality. The vampire was standing stock still, eye-lids half closed, head tilted, watching him. Valz realized he hadn’t even been paying attention, his body moved instinctively, but his mind wasn’t there. It was a miracle he and the woman on the ground were still alive. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been less prepared against a more dangerous adversary. Silently thanking whatever, if any, gods were listening for the second chance, he stopped his circling. While distracted the vampire had been mirroring him. Now he stood closer to her, and she closer the woman on the ground than when he had started. Inwardly cursing he realized that his inattention had almost brought the creature back to her prey. It would be one thing to die by his own fault, but to bring about the death of another because he couldn’t stay focused was intolerable.
Taking a step back to provide some reaction distance and thinking room, Valz rethought the situation. They were almost at an impasse: the three of them forming the points of an ever shrinking triangle. His eyes slid off the creature and onto the woman on the ground. She looked broken, but less so than when she first fell. His eyes naturally saw her sword and he remembered her at the moment when he first saw her, stalking out of a darkened room, bloody sword in hand, chasing the vampire out of her house. He knew she was strong, inside and out. If he could buy just a little more time she could come into play and change the odds. Looking at the triangle the three of them made Valz realized that with a little effort and maneuvering the three of them would be online, the vampire in the middle. If he was trying to protect the woman it wouldn’t make sense to put the beast in between them, but what if she no longer needed protection?
Totally focused on the vampire, really seeing her, stringy black hair, body so encrusted with dirt that it was hard to tell where clothing ended and skin began, she stood before him like a statue. Staring into her face Valz took one more chance at a dance, stepping another step back and two to the right he tried to get her to follow again, placing herself into a trap between the two of them. If this failed he would have to totally throw caution to the wind and buy time with his body for the woman to get away…
The only dirty fight is the fight you lose...
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Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
The male wasn't all there. His eyes remained fixed on her, his movements masked her, but he was distant and unsure of himself. She could see when his focus centered, and sensed when it wavered.
She would not attack this male...but this dance had grown boring and he wasn't focused on the game. Even now he tried to draw her into his own steps, but she didn't care for his style any longer.
She would force his hand.
It was an easy move, so smooth and direct. She merely twisted, two quick strides, and she was next to the female. She crouched and grabbed the female's collar, hauling her torso up enough to reach down and grab the sword's hilt. She pulled the female up and up, as though to break her in half, and whispered into the girl's ear:
"Hello, pretty."
Her eyes were slitted red as she yanked the sword from its sheath with a grating rake. Once out and drawn, this female served no further purpose save death. And that meal had been quite rudely interrupted.
The vampire wasted no time gloating over her victim. She was up again now, staring at the male. This male who wanted so desperately to save this female that he had shown up - again. Perhaps she should grant his wish?
You want her?
The vampire reeled her foot back, then planted it into the female's abdomen, a kick which would serve to lift her body up and away from the vampire, and toward the male. A living human missile.
Have her.
She would not attack this male...but this dance had grown boring and he wasn't focused on the game. Even now he tried to draw her into his own steps, but she didn't care for his style any longer.
She would force his hand.
It was an easy move, so smooth and direct. She merely twisted, two quick strides, and she was next to the female. She crouched and grabbed the female's collar, hauling her torso up enough to reach down and grab the sword's hilt. She pulled the female up and up, as though to break her in half, and whispered into the girl's ear:
"Hello, pretty."
Her eyes were slitted red as she yanked the sword from its sheath with a grating rake. Once out and drawn, this female served no further purpose save death. And that meal had been quite rudely interrupted.
The vampire wasted no time gloating over her victim. She was up again now, staring at the male. This male who wanted so desperately to save this female that he had shown up - again. Perhaps she should grant his wish?
You want her?
The vampire reeled her foot back, then planted it into the female's abdomen, a kick which would serve to lift her body up and away from the vampire, and toward the male. A living human missile.
Have her.
Why, Amira wondered, did the vampire play games, taunting, drawing out each encounter -- when it could easily end things with direct, powerful moves like this? Why did the beast make everything so hard on itself? For a challenge? For the fun? For the thrill of being stabbed and sliced and otherwise seriously wounded?
She considered this only momentarily, as being yanked off the ground didn't leave much time for thought.
Hello, pretty? Even when the vampire managed to act purposefully, it seemed to imbue everything with a morbid playfulness that, frankly, Amira didn't find amusing in the least. But then, when one is dangling by one's collar and staring death in its proverbial face, one doesn't find many things amusing. Death has a funny way of dampening one's sense of humor.
Death also has terrible breath.
And damn if death didn't have Amira's sword!
She barely had time to register this disturbing turn of events before something slammed against her gut, and she was flying.
Flying?
If she hadn't been bleeding, newly swordless, and flying, she might have been shocked at the obscenities which escaped her. As it was, she was just surprised that they weren't more creative.
She considered this only momentarily, as being yanked off the ground didn't leave much time for thought.
Hello, pretty? Even when the vampire managed to act purposefully, it seemed to imbue everything with a morbid playfulness that, frankly, Amira didn't find amusing in the least. But then, when one is dangling by one's collar and staring death in its proverbial face, one doesn't find many things amusing. Death has a funny way of dampening one's sense of humor.
Death also has terrible breath.
And damn if death didn't have Amira's sword!
She barely had time to register this disturbing turn of events before something slammed against her gut, and she was flying.
Flying?
If she hadn't been bleeding, newly swordless, and flying, she might have been shocked at the obscenities which escaped her. As it was, she was just surprised that they weren't more creative.
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Valz Malar
- Citizen
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:03 am
- Race: Human
Watching the vampire turn, take two steps, and reach for the woman Valz realized that the game was up. His plan had failed and she was going to die before he could do anything. The speed with which the vampire moved was almost impossible to comprehend. One minute the beast was facing down Valz, her hungry, piercing eyes almost red, and the next minute she had the human firmly in her grasp, pulling her violently upwards. With a wrenching twist that reached Valz’s ear she unsheathed the woman’s sword while kicking the woman towards him.
The woman flew towards him, her brownish hair flying in all directions, dark against the now black sky. She was smaller than he thought, he could see that as she flew towards him, but the distance between them wasn’t great enough for him to move or for her size to make much of a difference. Flicking his sword arm down so he didn’t skewer her, he tried to turn his shoulder and roll with the impact. She couldn’t have weighed more than seven or eight stone, Valz could carry as much on his back if needed, but when flying towards you at high speed seven or eight stone could do some serious damage. Just missing his sword point, their bodies collided with a crash that rattled Valz’s body. He wasn’t wearing any armor, so he had no real padding. Rolling downwards into a jumbled heap of bodies, Valz tasted blood in his mouth and thought that he might have injured a rib, or maybe that was just her knee, and a far worse injury occurred to him, he realized that he no longer had a grip on his sword.
Attempting to roll free Valz tried to reorient himself, trying to keep his eyes trained on the vampire.
There was Animus, his beautiful blade…only an arms length away. Pain scorched through his ribs, making him gasp for breath, as he lunged for the blade.
He never doubted he would reach it.
The woman flew towards him, her brownish hair flying in all directions, dark against the now black sky. She was smaller than he thought, he could see that as she flew towards him, but the distance between them wasn’t great enough for him to move or for her size to make much of a difference. Flicking his sword arm down so he didn’t skewer her, he tried to turn his shoulder and roll with the impact. She couldn’t have weighed more than seven or eight stone, Valz could carry as much on his back if needed, but when flying towards you at high speed seven or eight stone could do some serious damage. Just missing his sword point, their bodies collided with a crash that rattled Valz’s body. He wasn’t wearing any armor, so he had no real padding. Rolling downwards into a jumbled heap of bodies, Valz tasted blood in his mouth and thought that he might have injured a rib, or maybe that was just her knee, and a far worse injury occurred to him, he realized that he no longer had a grip on his sword.
Attempting to roll free Valz tried to reorient himself, trying to keep his eyes trained on the vampire.
There was Animus, his beautiful blade…only an arms length away. Pain scorched through his ribs, making him gasp for breath, as he lunged for the blade.
He never doubted he would reach it.
The only dirty fight is the fight you lose...
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Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
The vampire watched both humans collide and collapse with something very similar to a smile. The dim light reflected off of something metal which clattered noisily against the cobblestones. She moved forward, ignoring the tumbling couple, and cocked her head as she approached the object. It was...
...his weapon.
The male was no fool to be disoriented for long, as a non-warrior would have. He moved for the blade instantly, instinctively clutching at its veneer of safety.
She simple placed her foot squarely over the blade, pinning it to the ground. Her boot and lower pants were as encrusted with dirt as the rest of her, bits of mud, blood and old entrails flaking off. She was serene, calm as a silent mountain lake - and with less life under the surface.
She inspected the two humans before where they lay, one atop the other, and considered her new options. She could pierce them through like a giant, four-limbed bug, watch them writhe against the street and each other. Their blood would mingle and pool, combining them even further. Stab them through, twist the blade, watch the red run and drag them away for further play. She had learned that a stomach wound lasted forever.
She leaned down to grasp the hilt of his blade, lifted her foot and took it into her other hand. She had no need for two blades, but the surge of power she felt holding both weapons was enough to bring another near-smile to her lips as she glared down at her prey, now doubled for lack of trying.
Finally, she tilted her head as she twisted her wrist to bring his own sword's tip against the male's throat. The woman had lost enough blood to be weak; she would still fight, oh yes, but this male was fresh into the battle and hadn't accepted his death yet. His will would be the greater threat.
Now she remained motionless and silent, unwilling to exert the force needed to puncture his skin. She would wait to see what he would do, what he might try to say. She couldn't help her curiosity.
...his weapon.
The male was no fool to be disoriented for long, as a non-warrior would have. He moved for the blade instantly, instinctively clutching at its veneer of safety.
She simple placed her foot squarely over the blade, pinning it to the ground. Her boot and lower pants were as encrusted with dirt as the rest of her, bits of mud, blood and old entrails flaking off. She was serene, calm as a silent mountain lake - and with less life under the surface.
She inspected the two humans before where they lay, one atop the other, and considered her new options. She could pierce them through like a giant, four-limbed bug, watch them writhe against the street and each other. Their blood would mingle and pool, combining them even further. Stab them through, twist the blade, watch the red run and drag them away for further play. She had learned that a stomach wound lasted forever.
She leaned down to grasp the hilt of his blade, lifted her foot and took it into her other hand. She had no need for two blades, but the surge of power she felt holding both weapons was enough to bring another near-smile to her lips as she glared down at her prey, now doubled for lack of trying.
Finally, she tilted her head as she twisted her wrist to bring his own sword's tip against the male's throat. The woman had lost enough blood to be weak; she would still fight, oh yes, but this male was fresh into the battle and hadn't accepted his death yet. His will would be the greater threat.
Now she remained motionless and silent, unwilling to exert the force needed to puncture his skin. She would wait to see what he would do, what he might try to say. She couldn't help her curiosity.
Before, the first time, she had felt, all too often, the sickening urge to end it. To let the vampire tear away her flesh and drink her life away -- just to end the pain, the suffering, and, above all, the utter senselessness of the game the beast played.
It was different now. Now, the way the monster played, the way it had been toying with her all this time, only fueled her frustration. Unfortunate, then, that she had lost the means to fight.
What means had she lost? Her sword? Surely she could fight without it. She wasn't completely inept in hand-to-hand combat, and...
Hand-to-hand combat. Against a creature with both fangs and a blade?
The least she could do was pull herself off of the man, but she couldn't seem to gather the effort. To stand. Well, she was getting off to a marvelous start, wasn't she?
She lay there, her face pressed against the ground, vaguely aware that her hand's grip on her throat had loosened. The rest of her was sprawled across Valz, her unasked-for savior, who would, she supposed, die for his chivalry. What a waste. The world needed all the half-decent men it could get.
Slowly, with a moan, she shifted her weight, rolling herself to one side. As her body hit the ground, she moaned again, louder this time. If she hurt this badly, she could imagine how the poor soul who'd cushioned her fall felt.
"Bitch," she whispered, closing her eyes. She assumed she meant the vampire...but who could tell?
I'm going mad, she reflected. Her thoughts didn't sound terrible concerned; it was simply an observation.
As if to confirm the notion, a flash, a glimpse of unreality, gripped her...but for only a moment. She was surprised she didn't reach out for it, grip it in return, to escape a reality which seemed almost as senseless as her dreams... visions... whatever they were.
But it isn't as mad as what they hold. Not yet. There's still some semblance of sanity here...isn't there?
She wished she knew where to find it.
It was different now. Now, the way the monster played, the way it had been toying with her all this time, only fueled her frustration. Unfortunate, then, that she had lost the means to fight.
What means had she lost? Her sword? Surely she could fight without it. She wasn't completely inept in hand-to-hand combat, and...
Hand-to-hand combat. Against a creature with both fangs and a blade?
The least she could do was pull herself off of the man, but she couldn't seem to gather the effort. To stand. Well, she was getting off to a marvelous start, wasn't she?
She lay there, her face pressed against the ground, vaguely aware that her hand's grip on her throat had loosened. The rest of her was sprawled across Valz, her unasked-for savior, who would, she supposed, die for his chivalry. What a waste. The world needed all the half-decent men it could get.
Slowly, with a moan, she shifted her weight, rolling herself to one side. As her body hit the ground, she moaned again, louder this time. If she hurt this badly, she could imagine how the poor soul who'd cushioned her fall felt.
"Bitch," she whispered, closing her eyes. She assumed she meant the vampire...but who could tell?
I'm going mad, she reflected. Her thoughts didn't sound terrible concerned; it was simply an observation.
As if to confirm the notion, a flash, a glimpse of unreality, gripped her...but for only a moment. She was surprised she didn't reach out for it, grip it in return, to escape a reality which seemed almost as senseless as her dreams... visions... whatever they were.
But it isn't as mad as what they hold. Not yet. There's still some semblance of sanity here...isn't there?
She wished she knew where to find it.
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Valz Malar
- Citizen
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:03 am
- Race: Human
The woman rolled off of his back, freeing Valz, it took all of a second. Lunging for his sword he was drawn up short by a boot on Animus’ blade. The fiercely sharp blade, razor edged, that was now being held against his neck, forcing his head up, arms and legs holding his body off the ground. Sharp enough to draw blood even without pressure applied Valz felt the sting on the edge of his throat as blood welled up to the surface of his skin. His body broke out in a sweat, she stood there, watching him, eyes blank, like an animal.
It was at that moment that Valz knew he had her.
Anyone watching would think he was in the position of weakness, but he knew better. She hesitated. Waited. For what, he knew not. It may have been a residual human curiosity, it may have been to drag out the agony; it may have been to give him time to pray to a god or say last words. Whatever it was it would cost her. Had the situation been reversed her neck would have already been splayed open, dark blood drenching her body. In all likelihood her head would be rolling down the street. Mercy has it’s time and place, neither of which is in the middle of a life or death struggle. Physically she was stronger and faster than he could probably ever be, but mentally she must be weak to allow such a mistake and Valz was going to make her pay for that mistake.
Valz knew one other truth that would allow him to prevail, a tough truth certainly, but truth none the less. If you bare a blade, you better be prepared to get cut. Valz was prepared to get cut, the fact that it was his own blade meant nothing. He could sense the woman behind him, mumbling, trying to struggle to her feet. Looking up at the vampire he noticed her other sword arm. Like some two-bit theater farce, she carried two swords. Valz had seen only one or two highly trained people wield two weapons effectively. From the way the tip of the second sword traced an almost imperceptible figure eight in the air he guessed she was not one of them. The weight of the second sword would throw off her balance just enough that it might give him the edge he needed.
If he rolled away from the blade her natural arm motion would follow and he would end up with a slit throat, choking to death on his own blood in the dark of this deserted street. However, if he rolled into the blade and along it, her arm would have to twist at an awkward angle to keep up with his throat. That angle would give him time to escape the blade and at least regain his feet. That would be the first step…
Arms trembling from the strain of holding his body up while looking into deaths eye’s, Valz knew he must act. With all his strength he rolled into it, bringing his body closer to hers before rolling away. The blade was painless. If he didn’t know better he would have said he wasn’t even cut, except the blood was now pouring down from his throat to his shoulder; starting shallow where the vampire held the blade against his throat, the cut deepened as he rolled along it, biting into his shoulder muscle. The blood was slick and smelled rich mixed with his sweat and leathers. His feet beneath him now, he faced the bitch in a crouch, unarmed, wary, but far from helpless.
It was at that moment that Valz knew he had her.
Anyone watching would think he was in the position of weakness, but he knew better. She hesitated. Waited. For what, he knew not. It may have been a residual human curiosity, it may have been to drag out the agony; it may have been to give him time to pray to a god or say last words. Whatever it was it would cost her. Had the situation been reversed her neck would have already been splayed open, dark blood drenching her body. In all likelihood her head would be rolling down the street. Mercy has it’s time and place, neither of which is in the middle of a life or death struggle. Physically she was stronger and faster than he could probably ever be, but mentally she must be weak to allow such a mistake and Valz was going to make her pay for that mistake.
Valz knew one other truth that would allow him to prevail, a tough truth certainly, but truth none the less. If you bare a blade, you better be prepared to get cut. Valz was prepared to get cut, the fact that it was his own blade meant nothing. He could sense the woman behind him, mumbling, trying to struggle to her feet. Looking up at the vampire he noticed her other sword arm. Like some two-bit theater farce, she carried two swords. Valz had seen only one or two highly trained people wield two weapons effectively. From the way the tip of the second sword traced an almost imperceptible figure eight in the air he guessed she was not one of them. The weight of the second sword would throw off her balance just enough that it might give him the edge he needed.
If he rolled away from the blade her natural arm motion would follow and he would end up with a slit throat, choking to death on his own blood in the dark of this deserted street. However, if he rolled into the blade and along it, her arm would have to twist at an awkward angle to keep up with his throat. That angle would give him time to escape the blade and at least regain his feet. That would be the first step…
Arms trembling from the strain of holding his body up while looking into deaths eye’s, Valz knew he must act. With all his strength he rolled into it, bringing his body closer to hers before rolling away. The blade was painless. If he didn’t know better he would have said he wasn’t even cut, except the blood was now pouring down from his throat to his shoulder; starting shallow where the vampire held the blade against his throat, the cut deepened as he rolled along it, biting into his shoulder muscle. The blood was slick and smelled rich mixed with his sweat and leathers. His feet beneath him now, he faced the bitch in a crouch, unarmed, wary, but far from helpless.
The only dirty fight is the fight you lose...
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Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
The male's arms were trembling now from supporting his own weight, and Jenica shuttered her eyes as the drowsiness of bloodlust overcame her. She wanted to kill them both, and now. The cut on the male's throat wafted the further scent of fresh blood toward her - new and cleaner, a new taste to add to her collection. She anticipated the flow over her tongue and down her shattered throat to soothe the permanent damage and pain that always stayed lodged just behind her tongue.
Her fangs had come down unbidden; her eyes red slits as the desire to kill shuddered through her entire body, making her muscles tense as she prepared to kill. She would lean forward, then, and slit this male's skin - and then the female would be pinned to the road, pinned and helpless while she dragged the male's pierced neck to her mouth and drank and drank until the lust settled to a dull hum -
It was in this moment, the second before the kill, that the male rolled into and then away from the blade. He willingly cut himself, took further damage to escape the pressing threat - and the predator, so focused on the impending kill, could not help but be distracted. She stood swaying and dazed, unsure of what had happened - he was there a moment ago, ready to be run through with this very same blade - and now all that remained was the blood on the tip of the sword.
Her eyes flickered to his new position as she made the mental adjustment and realized what he'd just done. Into, then away...oh, this one was clever.
The vampire had been less than a moment from cutting his throat, and her bloodlust still pulsed in her belly. His movement angered and frustrated her - the prey dodging the attack - and a sudden desperation for death filled her motions with a jagged edge. She wanted him to die.
A hissing snarl erupted from her as she sprang into motion, sweeping the blade in a careless arch at the male. There was no calculation or control behind the move - she just wanted to see his blood spurt, and for one wild moment didn't care how this happened.
The woman was forgotten.
Her fangs had come down unbidden; her eyes red slits as the desire to kill shuddered through her entire body, making her muscles tense as she prepared to kill. She would lean forward, then, and slit this male's skin - and then the female would be pinned to the road, pinned and helpless while she dragged the male's pierced neck to her mouth and drank and drank until the lust settled to a dull hum -
It was in this moment, the second before the kill, that the male rolled into and then away from the blade. He willingly cut himself, took further damage to escape the pressing threat - and the predator, so focused on the impending kill, could not help but be distracted. She stood swaying and dazed, unsure of what had happened - he was there a moment ago, ready to be run through with this very same blade - and now all that remained was the blood on the tip of the sword.
Her eyes flickered to his new position as she made the mental adjustment and realized what he'd just done. Into, then away...oh, this one was clever.
The vampire had been less than a moment from cutting his throat, and her bloodlust still pulsed in her belly. His movement angered and frustrated her - the prey dodging the attack - and a sudden desperation for death filled her motions with a jagged edge. She wanted him to die.
A hissing snarl erupted from her as she sprang into motion, sweeping the blade in a careless arch at the male. There was no calculation or control behind the move - she just wanted to see his blood spurt, and for one wild moment didn't care how this happened.
The woman was forgotten.
It wasn't as though Amira cared a whit about the man. His gesture in helping her was appreciated, of course, but he was, after all, a stranger, someone she appreciated little more than anyone else who walked the streets of Marn. Nevertheless, she had to admit that her life most likely depended on him at this point. Together, the odds were against them; alone, she would be absolutely helpless.
She did, then, have a certain vested interest in keeping him alive.
Of course, she was no idiot; if she had had the energy to run, she would have. But she didn't. So, she wondered, what could she do from the ground aside from clutch her throat and moan?
It didn't help that she had no idea what Valz was up to. Cutting himself with his own blade? Well, certainly, the maneuver let him escape the point -- but only temporarily. The fact remained that the vampire held both their weapons, and it was only a matter of time before...
There. The beast snarled, and, in its anger, moved forward. Amira acted out of reflex, swinging her legs into the vampire's path. If she was lucky, it would trip, fall, and perhaps give its prey a chance to act. If not...well, they were screwed, weren't they?
She did, then, have a certain vested interest in keeping him alive.
Of course, she was no idiot; if she had had the energy to run, she would have. But she didn't. So, she wondered, what could she do from the ground aside from clutch her throat and moan?
It didn't help that she had no idea what Valz was up to. Cutting himself with his own blade? Well, certainly, the maneuver let him escape the point -- but only temporarily. The fact remained that the vampire held both their weapons, and it was only a matter of time before...
There. The beast snarled, and, in its anger, moved forward. Amira acted out of reflex, swinging her legs into the vampire's path. If she was lucky, it would trip, fall, and perhaps give its prey a chance to act. If not...well, they were screwed, weren't they?
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Valz Malar
- Citizen
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:03 am
- Race: Human
Warm wetness seeped down into Valz’s leathers. He could feel it dripping, oozing down his chest from his shoulder. The adrenaline coursed through his body, dulling the pain, but not the feeling of his own blood on his body. The strong smell of iron forced its way into his nostrils. All of this was secondary to the blade winging at his head. His synapses fired faster than his brain could process them; he saw the sword swinging at him before he heard the beast snarl at him. It was a lazy arcing swing, raw power certainly, but with no real chance of hitting someone who could see it coming. Shifting his weight back he was able to dodge the incoming swipe without losing ground, actually placing him closer to the foul creature.
It was at that awkward instant of a lunge that the woman on the ground thrust her legs into the vampire’s path. Valz didn’t hesitate. The sword stroke would leave her open and off balance; not even bothering to see if the woman’s legs made contact with the vampire he shifted his weight so it was back under him, squatted a little, and sprang forward, towards the approaching vampire, under the swinging blade. Valz ducked his head as he flew, blood droplets arching out from his neck and shoulder like paint drips, trying to put his good shoulder into her midsection and drive her to the ground. If he hit with enough force, quick enough, she may not be able to get the other sword into play, if not, then his head, neck, and back were open to the sharpened steel in her other hand.
It was at that awkward instant of a lunge that the woman on the ground thrust her legs into the vampire’s path. Valz didn’t hesitate. The sword stroke would leave her open and off balance; not even bothering to see if the woman’s legs made contact with the vampire he shifted his weight so it was back under him, squatted a little, and sprang forward, towards the approaching vampire, under the swinging blade. Valz ducked his head as he flew, blood droplets arching out from his neck and shoulder like paint drips, trying to put his good shoulder into her midsection and drive her to the ground. If he hit with enough force, quick enough, she may not be able to get the other sword into play, if not, then his head, neck, and back were open to the sharpened steel in her other hand.
The only dirty fight is the fight you lose...
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Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
Off-balance and blinded by her impulsive rage along with the fresh scent of the male's blood, the vampire saw the woman's legs only when they connected with her own. The force of the human's blow was absorbed into the vampire's own muscles, and if not for her concentration on the male, she would have merely stood, silent and crazed, to gaze down upon the female.
But too much happened at once, and at the moment the woman's legs connected the vampire's concentration swung on a hinge between the two humans.
The male was in her stomach before she could refocus her fury. Disoriented, unsteady with the force of the sword's slash, she collapsed backward with the male's balance. Her arms instinctively flew out and down to try and brace herself against the ground, and both swords clattered painfully against the cobblestones as her weight crashed against them.
Long buried reflexes continued her movement. Her knee slammed into the male's torso as she dropped the swords to bring her hands to clasp his shoulders. The motion continued, ever backward for her and forward for him, as she flexed her muscles and jolted her knee in the effort to throw him off and away.
If she managed, she would continue the roll into a crouch to glower at the female with the male behind, separate from the steel edges which made such a difference in this moment.
And she would not be happy.
But too much happened at once, and at the moment the woman's legs connected the vampire's concentration swung on a hinge between the two humans.
The male was in her stomach before she could refocus her fury. Disoriented, unsteady with the force of the sword's slash, she collapsed backward with the male's balance. Her arms instinctively flew out and down to try and brace herself against the ground, and both swords clattered painfully against the cobblestones as her weight crashed against them.
Long buried reflexes continued her movement. Her knee slammed into the male's torso as she dropped the swords to bring her hands to clasp his shoulders. The motion continued, ever backward for her and forward for him, as she flexed her muscles and jolted her knee in the effort to throw him off and away.
If she managed, she would continue the roll into a crouch to glower at the female with the male behind, separate from the steel edges which made such a difference in this moment.
And she would not be happy.
Ha.
Amira returned the vampire's glare, a satisfied sneer curling the corners of her mouth. Not that there was much to be satisfied about; she was still lying on the ground, bleeding and swordless. At least now, though, the vampire was swordless, too, and Amira's own weapon was lying several feet away, waiting for her to grab it.
It really was a shame that she hadn't yet been able to stand.
Instead, she slowly, laboriously, pulled herself up to her hands and knees, and, watching the vampire closely, began to crawl towards the sword. In all likelihood, the beast would be able to beat her to it. If Amira had been alone, she probably wouldn't have tried -- but the man was there, and she surmised that the vampire would be loathe to turn its back on him.
She hoped so, anyway.
Amira returned the vampire's glare, a satisfied sneer curling the corners of her mouth. Not that there was much to be satisfied about; she was still lying on the ground, bleeding and swordless. At least now, though, the vampire was swordless, too, and Amira's own weapon was lying several feet away, waiting for her to grab it.
It really was a shame that she hadn't yet been able to stand.
Instead, she slowly, laboriously, pulled herself up to her hands and knees, and, watching the vampire closely, began to crawl towards the sword. In all likelihood, the beast would be able to beat her to it. If Amira had been alone, she probably wouldn't have tried -- but the man was there, and she surmised that the vampire would be loathe to turn its back on him.
She hoped so, anyway.
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Valz Malar
- Citizen
- Posts: 94
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:03 am
- Race: Human
His lips curling in a triumphant sneer, Valz slammed into the vampire’s midsection. His look was one of victory, for he felt the woman’s legs connect with the vampire, he knew that on his own he wouldn’t have taken her down, the woman, on her back had given them this moment with her act. He could feel the vampires hard body, smell the dirt and blood on her skin, feel her body jolt as her hands fell out behind her to stop her fall, hear the clattering of the swords, all before pain exploded in his chest from a well placed knee. She caught him just under his ribs, his whole weight forced onto the point of the vampire’s knee. Suddenly the world spun, he was upside, blood now flowing back up into his face instead of down his body, thoughts interrupted by the ground slamming into his back. Remembering to tuck his chin was the only thing that kept him from blacking out at the impact.
Move. MOVE. MOVE OR DIE! Valz’s mind screamed at him, to stop fighting now would be to die at the beast’s hands. Rolling back to his feet he saw that the vampires back was to him, crouched, and sword less she faced the woman, still on the ground, but reaching for her sword. Reacting instinctively Valz took one step forward, planted his foot, rotated his hips and aimed a kick at the side of the vampire’s head.
Move. MOVE. MOVE OR DIE! Valz’s mind screamed at him, to stop fighting now would be to die at the beast’s hands. Rolling back to his feet he saw that the vampires back was to him, crouched, and sword less she faced the woman, still on the ground, but reaching for her sword. Reacting instinctively Valz took one step forward, planted his foot, rotated his hips and aimed a kick at the side of the vampire’s head.
The only dirty fight is the fight you lose...
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Jenica Sabiny
- Citizen
- Posts: 768
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:29 am
- Race: Vampire
If she didn't act out soon, the fury she felt would eat her alive. Crouched in the street and glaring at the female, the vampire felt bloodlust rise within her belly once more and shine bright in her red eyes. She heard the male land moments later, hard against the cobblestones, and returned the woman's triumphant glare with a bloody sneer.
Why don't you stand, little girl? Lost your footing?
The vampire was predator embodied; she wanted this woman's flesh on a platter and her life's blood pouring. She could sense that the female was lame, too injured to stand and run. The female was no threat; she could not hold her own weight.
So it was the male to deal with.
The vampire touched her fingers to the ground and called the shadows into play. They writhed and twitched, excited to be used, and the vampire's sneer morphed into a lazy smile. She could hear the male's steps behind her. Her fist closed over a glob of shadow which changed to a slick coil. She heard the foot plant, and relaxed herself to allow a blow to be absorbed.
As the male's foot connected with her head, the vampire rolled in the direction it carried her. It ached in a small way - but her head was so silent, there was nothing to jumble. Her thoughts remained still and calm, for there was little thinking going on regardless.
She rolled, she swung out her arm, carrying the coil of shadows with her in a simulation of whip. The coil unraveled and moved in a great arch, aiming for the male's upper torso with no particular connection in mind - only the pain which would follow.
Why don't you stand, little girl? Lost your footing?
The vampire was predator embodied; she wanted this woman's flesh on a platter and her life's blood pouring. She could sense that the female was lame, too injured to stand and run. The female was no threat; she could not hold her own weight.
So it was the male to deal with.
The vampire touched her fingers to the ground and called the shadows into play. They writhed and twitched, excited to be used, and the vampire's sneer morphed into a lazy smile. She could hear the male's steps behind her. Her fist closed over a glob of shadow which changed to a slick coil. She heard the foot plant, and relaxed herself to allow a blow to be absorbed.
As the male's foot connected with her head, the vampire rolled in the direction it carried her. It ached in a small way - but her head was so silent, there was nothing to jumble. Her thoughts remained still and calm, for there was little thinking going on regardless.
She rolled, she swung out her arm, carrying the coil of shadows with her in a simulation of whip. The coil unraveled and moved in a great arch, aiming for the male's upper torso with no particular connection in mind - only the pain which would follow.