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 Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 9:30 am
 Pain was not a common sensation for Raphael. He typically dealt pain out, and being the son of a Disciple (though one that had been... removed), kept him clear of most squabbles. However, Raphael hadn't been prepared to handle a fight that was highly outnumbered by a small gaggle of his father's old followers. They had all been low on the totem pole in the clan, but felt like they could take out their frustrations on Raphael intsead. "Bunch of gutter rats." There was a snarl from him as his mismatched eyes closed, attempting to figure out what would be his next move. Blood was needed, that much was sure, and none of the vampires he had fought really had any left. Except for the one that had gotten away, but Raphael would remember him clearly. After all, Raphael didn't think he'd been healing from losing a bit of his upper lip anytime soon and that had been bitten off in the scuffle. A wide smile appeared on his own lips, though they were busted and smeared with blood. There were a couple of bodies in the alleyway, but Raphael was stumbling a little further on his own before one of his legs gave away. His knife had been carefully tucked into a strap on his arm to prevent any further damage, but he still hit the cold ground rather hard. The world was spinning around and Raphael cursed with every turn, though his voice was fading. Was this really the way he was going to go out? Raphael Le Nicholeh, son of Malkav? Probably. Seemed fitting that a bit of nobody was going to die in a back alley somewhere after being jumped by four other nobodies. The world would keep spinning and nothing would care if he was gone... except perhaps his mother. She had warned him against making a fuss, but here he was. Raphael heard footsteps coming his way. Perhaps the cur without his upper lip had somehow circled back around to finish him. Wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake? Raphael growled as much as he could, imagining it was much louder than the weak attempt that left him, and tried to struggle where he lay face first in the alley.
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Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 6:23 pm
The Clanless were well adjusted to fighting their own battles, unaccustomed to their protective deity yet. Many did not even know of her yet but there were whisperings of her existence beginning to circulate. Ennoia had been lounging on her plush bed inside of her temple, taking a nap to restore the energy it took to create an entire place out of nothing. She woke with a start, a growl ripping through her chest when she felt the tug of one of her own in need. She had only felt this once before, with her darling little devotee, and it instantly caused her blood to boil. The goddess rose from her bed and disappeared, engulfed in shadows. To say that she was displeased was an understatement and she could not express how good it felt when she stepped out of the dark shadows of an unfamiliar alleyway, catching the sole survivor by the throat. Her claws dug in and cut off any pathetic yelp the vampire had the audacity to produce. She felt something snap deep within her, bringing a surge of something dark and sinister to her usually reserved, calm surface. She yanked upwards without a care of being too rough, bringing the vampire off his feet. Her gaze shifted up his pitiful form and settled to his face. It was a disgusting face but the sight of the torn lip brought her a sense od satisfaction. Ennoia's lips curled upwards and pulled away from her fangs, giving the Malk a wicked smile to witness. "Little lunatic, if you ever touch one of mine again, I will relish in tearing you inside out and just before you can have the disrespect to die so quickly, I will find whatever vile creature had the audacity to create you, and shove you wholly inside of them so that you may die together." The words dripped from her lips with venom, malicious intent and promise filling each one. She then tossed him like a ragdoll into a nearby wall, kind enough to not use enough force to send him entirely through it. She watched the body go limp but knew he was left alive; he was not hers to wipe from existence... yet. One warning was all she could manage to give. Ennoia stepped on his body with weight, wicked smile widening when she felt a satisfying crack of a bone. Which bone? She could not find it within her to care. Broken bones would mend but that hideous, marred face would remain. She exited the alley and began her search, finding a dying Clanless crawling in an alleyway. He was still hissing and fighting with all he had left. Approaching may not be the wisest choice but she felt her heart sink. An ache rippled through it, different than that of when she felt homesick. It was clear this was a spicy little bean but her feet were moving, carrying her towards him anyway. She witnessed him collapse face down and heard the attempt of a growl. Her hand slipped into her dress at the left breast and she produced a vile. Ennoia had not many places on her person to safely carry something as important as a vial of blood. "Shhh, shhh..." The goddess knelt down to the damp ground and pushed at Raphael's shoulder to roll him to his side. Claws gently pushed strands of dark silken strands from his face though she was mindful not to let the touch linger. A bite would not kill her but it would not be pleasant either. "Drink this, let it heal you." She cooed at him in a soft tone full of reassurance. That dark beast had settled back down within her, allowing her to be tender and attentive to the dying vampire. She pulled the cork free of the vial and rested the edge of it to his lips. He could take it from her, if he had the strength to. She would not make a fuss of it.
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Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2023 12:21 pm
For once, he couldn't really smell the blood. Probably a bad sign, that. Raphael heard footsteps, though they sounded faint and echoy in the distance. The vampire tried to hiss in response to the presence leaning over him but it came out more of a gurgle. Not exactly the fierce response the son of a disciple should have opened with, but it was all that Raphael could manage beyond a little thrashing. Which also happened, the dark haired vampire refused to be killed without attempting to make it annoying. Drink this, let it heal you. Something was pressed against his busted lips after fingers combed through his hair. He sputtered in return but could not reach up to help himself. All the strength was gone and Raphael was really on the edge of a final death. So what was there in not trying to... heal himself? Trick it may have been, but he really had nothing to lose. He struggled forward, sputtering more as he did, before latching onto the vial and drinking it by biting into the glass. Breaking it in his mouth, drinking the liquid and trying to laugh. If someone was trying to save him, the glass would not help, but at least Raphael was going to go out on his own terms. Screw whatever plans anyone else had for him. Raphael managed a bit of a weak snicker, thinking he had gotten one up on whoever was trying to "help" him.
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Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2023 11:42 am
It was easy to continue ignoring the warning signs when they were coming out as wet, bloody gurgles and weak sounds rather than anything intimidating. There was no promise of violence when the vampire could barely move and even with a God's blood it would take time to heal. Except for that vial of God's blood was wasted when the vampire bit into the glass and let out a sad little snicker. Ennoia was not in the mood and this spicy little pepper was not going to die, not today and not even in her arms. She shifted and her tendrils moved to curl around his waist and neck, hoisting him to be sitting upright with his back resting to her chest. The Goddess grumbled and tilted his head backwards, sticking her fingers straight into his mouth with reckless abandon to locate and remove the shards of glass before he could swallow them and damage himself further. The vampiress had managed to narrow her eyes in a way that still appeared somewhat affectionate. "Such a feral little bean, aren't you?" The Goddess gave a sigh and scooped out the last shard, holding his mouth open so that she could inspect and make sure. Maybe a few pieces got swallowed, she couldn't be sure. "Now, now. You wasted a precious gift that was given to me. Be good and don't waste any this time." Ennoia lifted her arm and bit into it herself. She stroked his hair and used her tendrils to keep him upright and in place as she placed her arm over his mouth with a small sigh. One tendril uncurled from his neck and her hand moved there instead, fingers gently stroking the front of his throat to encourage him to drink.
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:08 pm
He moved suddenly and almost sharply, upward. He gurgled a little bit more as he was suddenly pushed against something... soft. Raphael couldn't figure out what it was but he had to admit that it wasn't a bad spot to be in. Maybe if he had been able to see more than a haze he would have been able to make things out better, but for the moment it was enough to stop him from crunching further on the glass in his mouth. Then fingers stuck themselves in his mouth. Not in any manner that might have been enticing. Instead it felt like the other fae was fishing and Raphael laughed around the digits as they pulled the glass out. It seemed like someone was trying to save him. Why the hell would they do that? His mouth was held open and Raphael began to blink, trying to get blood out of his eyes right before a fresh source of blood was pressed to his mouth. He was far too damaged to fight it any further. Raph's instincts took over and he drank once the fresh source was given to him. Greedily and deeply, for as long as the other would allow him to. Moving towards the source as soon as he had enough of his strength back, ignoring everything else in the alleyway as he did so, his tail twitching ever so slightly as he did. That was where he'd be until he was pulled off, attached like a leech and ignoring the world. This blood was unlike any other he had ever had, making him heal quicker than before and making him feel strong. His injuries had been fatal but whoever was rescuing him... did they really understand what they were doing? Unlikely. Whatever they were expecting in return would not be given to them.
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Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2023 3:31 pm
Clanless could be so stubborn, not that Ennoia expected any different from them. They had lived lives of being independent, self-reliant little creatures of the Night and she could not blame them for that. It was one of the many reasons that she adored them. They were fighters; survivors, every last one of them. Each carved out their own place in this world much like she was now doing for herself. She could relate to them in this way although she had a very supportive family behind her. Her poor little darlings had mostly been alone. She hoped that, with time, they would learn that they could rely on her to be there for them. The Goddess cooed softly to the vampire when he submitted to leaning back against her. He felt cold against her but she did not seem to mind. Rather than growling or hissing while his strength gradually returned to him and greedy hunger clouded his mind. One hand reached up to his head, fingers trailing through dark locks of hair in tender strokes, not minding the sticky blood that created knots. Knots that she took care in untangling with the assistance of her well manicured claws. "Greedy little thing, aren't you~?" A soft giggle escaped her while she peered around his shoulder to watch him feed. This was a... strange sensation. She had not yet decided if it was a good sort of strange or a bad one. As with many things she was discovering in life, repetition would create an answer. Ennoia hummed quietly to the currently nameless male for a few long moments while allowing him to feed freely. It was inevitable that she would begin to feel a touch tired herself. Evidently, feeding a man back from the edge of death was no task to wave a hand at dismissively. "Enough, little bean~"She had misjudged that this one would be able to pay attention to anything other than his current meal, a soft scowl sculpted her expression while her supple lips formed into a pout. Ennoia thought about if he needed a smack upside the head but quickly came to the decision that it may not be right to save a man and then smack him. It was unreasonable to expect him to know limitations when he were nearly dead just moments before. Instead, she opted to pull her arm away and out of his reach, holding it up to her own face to lick the wound and encourage it to close. "Do you feel better?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2023 11:07 am
Greedy little thing, aren't you~? He had half a thought to respond to that, but feeding was far more important. At least until the other told him it was enough the arm was promptly pulled out of reach. Firmly, by someone far stronger than himself. Raphael made those mental notes, sizing up whoever this other fae was, before lifting one arm to wipe at the remains of blood across his lips. Almost all his wounds had closed and truth be told, Raphael felt stronger than he had before the fight. "Yes." A simple answer for a simple question. He pushed away from her and stood, almost looking like he planned on being unsteady on his feet. There was a slight sway and one hand shot out against the wall to steady himself, but Raph felt a grin break across his face. What kind of blood did this fae have that could do such a thing? His gaze slid to her instead, eyes narrowing in a matched manner despite how different they were, and he then held a paw out to her to help her off her feet. "The name is Raphael Le Nicholeh." Some sort of special person. She had to be. Special people were always interesting to observe, though that might have been his mother showing up, but Raphael knew he wanted to know who she was. The contacts she made, the things she had, the life she lived... all sorts of different messes to get himself into. The smile was inviting but there was a sharp edge to his eyes, calculations still running in the background of his mind. His eyes were drifting around her person, trying to note all the pretty, shiny things this special pretty woman had about her. "Its not often a vampire helps another for no reason." He spoke again, getting as close to a suggested thank you as he could manage, while also hoping she'd give away more information on what she was after.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:02 am
The Goddess watched him carefully as he rose to his feet. That the first small sway, she had shot up onto her knees with the intent to stand and stabilize him. He succeeded in doing so himself with a hand braced to a wall. She let out a small breath she had not realized she were keeping in, not that it was held for very long before it was obvious that he was okay. Was okay the right word here? He was smiling, grinning in fact. Yes, he must be fine.
Ennoia's own mismatched gaze slid to the paw that were being offered to her before settling it to his face again. He had mismatched eyes like she did, how interesting. She reached upwards and took what was extended to her, holding onto him with a soft grip. The Goddess rose to her feet and flicked her gaze to their laws. Hm. His were larger than hers, it made hers look dainty. She slipped hers away and soon her gaze were redirected down at herself.
Tsk. Muddy. Ennoia fussed with her dress, smoothing out the wrinkles and doing her best to wipe away the damp and the dirt from the ground in this dark alleyway. All movements abruptly stopped. A name! Ennoia raised her eyes to meet his. Her lips curled into a warm smile that seemed somehow sweet and wicked at the same time. "Raphael Le Nicholeh." There was a purr to her voice, a small rumble in her chest. She quite liked the way the words rolled off her tongue as she repeated it back slowly, carefully. It was a long name but it was his, such was how names worked.
Ennoia almost found herself moving to step closer at the inviting smile that was being shown to her. It was her father's voice in the back of her mind that caused her to take pause and reconsider. Do not be fearful but be cautious, there were enemies that sought to hurt her family. Oh, it would be soul crushing if this spicy little Clanless were an enemy. If he was, she would remind herself to be merciful when it came to stamping out his light. "My name is Ennoia." The Goddess stood her ground, neither moving closer nor farther away. The name would register to him or it would not. "There is a reason. I did not want you to die." Ennoia felt her nose wrinkle and her brows furrowed, conveying her confusion. Obviously, that was the reason. Why else would you keep someone from dying other than you did not want them to die? Silly Raphael.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 2:50 pm
Why had he given his real name? Raphael couldn't be arsed to think of something on the spot and he refused to live his life in fear. Besides, he liked the idea of having his name rather known. Raphael, not one to mess with. He had yet to make rumors like that true, but the clanless vampire was attempting to get his name out there. His head cocked to the side, eyes dragging from one of the pretty things on one of her wrists to her face as she gave her reason. She didn't want him to die? "What an odd thing to care about." The words slipped out of him and he shrugged slightly, not sure why anyone would care if he lived or died. Except for perhaps his mother. She cared for some reason, though it was light and distant most of the time. Raph's nose wrinkled slightly and he didn't let go of her hand just yet. Instead another sly smile flickered across his lips. "Still, you have some very interesting blood in you. Anyone told you that before?" Raphael was leaning into a compliment, his other hand clasped the first rather dramatically. And when he finally pulled back his hands in what seemed like an almost polite gesture, Ennoia would find her hand just a little bit lighter. He had managed to slip away a ring. He pocketed it carefully, thinking he was being slick while he. did so. No one would expect him to do such a thing so quickly after saving his life, right? Joke was on them. There was always time for a pretty, shiny thing to be pocketed.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 3:26 pm
The name had never been heard by her before but she did not take that to mean that it carried no weight behind it. That was not for her to judge as she could not have possibly learned all their names and any stories behind them just yet. Eventually she would. She was determined to know them. Even this very strange one that was still holding on to her hand and smiling despite that sharp quality to his gaze. What was he thinking, she wondered? Ennoia would soon find out at least one of the thoughts circulating around in the man's mind. While his nose wrinkled, hers did as well, even more so than it already was. It turned her smile into a small, awkwardly cute sort of snarl while her gaze flicked down to the their hands and quickly back up to his face. What was he doing? Why was he touching her hand so much? Oh. Oh, that was cute. Just adorable. As if she did not have family full of vices and a Papa that was known to slip away with things. He couldn't possibly know that though as she had not yet given her name. A name that did carry weight behind it, was already known despite her young existence so far. "Ennoia is my name. It is not odd to care for what is mine." That dark edge to her tone was obvious, but it wasn't in regards to the ring that was taken from her finger. That had already been noticed by the slight shift of weight, and she had been subtle in the way she ran her thumb against the underside of that digit to prove to herself that she was not imagining it. She had no intention of drawing attention to it though. He could pocket it. She knew his name, she could send him a bill later. The Goddess was not the least bit apologetic for the way she worded herself. She had not meant it as in the Clanless were her property, but she had meant it as in they were hers to look out for. They were her responsibility. He could take it however he pleased though. She wouldn't stand in a filthy alley arguing all night about what she meant versus how it was interpreted. "Hmmm, no. I have not given my blood before so it would be impossible for anyone to have told me that before you." Ennoia's nose crinkled again, just slightly, and she gave him another snarly little smile. The compliment hadn't distracted her from what he had done but she didn't care about that. She'd take the compliment anyway.
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Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2023 4:36 pm
It is not odd to care for what is mine. She said that a little oddly. It almost sounded like a warning and for a moment Raphael thought she had noticed he had taken her ring. But there was no mention of it and she didn't demand for its return, so the clanless thought she was merely a little odd in the head. Not too unlike he was. "Keep it locked in your veins. Too many people find out about that and you'll have a world of trouble."He leaned in slightly to say those words, taking a wiry tone behind them to make it seem like a joke. That was how others joked, right? Something along those lines, Raphael was certain that he was hilarious, and he started to move towards one end of the alley at a slow pace. Facing her, walking backward, smiling as he did. Maybe he'd have a chance to steal a second ring or maybe even one of her bracelets. He figured she was going to follow him. For whatever reason, she seemed interested in the moment. Why else would she prefer him not to die? Ah, maybe she was one of those who knew his father and fawned over him. A sour note filled him for a second, but Raphael figured it didn't really matter. He could probably get a good bit of money for these pretty baubles and money could always be used for fun. Raphael stopped for a second at the end of the alley, half to make sure that Ennoia was following him, and half to check just outside the alley to see what trouble might have been brewing in the future.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:05 pm
Ennoia tilted her head to the side and watched him, her gaze as guarded as it was curious. She leaned backwards but only just as much as he had leaned in. Her nose crinkled and her lips pulled into that snarly little smile again. He was so funny! She could control the who, when, and where of if she shared her blood or not but she could not control people from knowing it was in her veins. If they put two and two together, it'd be very easy for them to figure out who she was even without her name. Lucky for her, he seemed to be just awful at math. Following him seemed like a good idea at the time. Her feet began to carry her forward but she walked slowly, at her own pace, keeping a certain distance between them. Maybe it wasn't a good idea. Maybe it was just a good bad idea. But she was ever so curious about any and all Clanless. She couldn't help herself. She was the moth and he was the flame. If Raphael were to ever mention his father, he would discover that she had no interest in that topic at all. She knew very little of Malkav. She knew his name and she knew he had been deemed unworthy of being her Papa's Disciple. He had been replaced by a shiny, new Disciple. Equally unstable, as seemed to be the Malkavian way. Did Raphael have some of that lunacy running in his veins? She found herself wondering what his blood tasted like, suddenly finding it a little unfair that he got to taste hers and she didn't get to taste his. Saving someone's life wasn't shaping up to seem very fair but... he hadn't asked her to save him. She had chosen to. She would have to live with these little disappointments. They were the consequences. Maybe they'd become friends. Maybe some day she'd get a nibble. Hmmm.. perhaps she was just feeling a little peckish after bringing him back from the edge of death.
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:16 pm
He walked, she followed. Raphael liked being a pied piper for a second, though she didn't seem to say much in response. Smiling, but there seemed to be a sharp edge to it. Raphael smiled back, thinking that he was easily tricking her into... what was it again? What had he been after again? One hand was in his pocket in a second, fingers finding the ring he had managed to snatch away from her. He turned it over several times before forcing himself to leave it be, taking a few steps out of the alley to ensure they weren't about to be jumped again. "Cat got your tongue, Pretty Bird?" She hadn't said anything in response to his earlier and Raphael couldn't figure out a nickname for Ennoia just yet but he did prefer to keep things casual with nicknames. The dark haired man thought he was even being flirty to a certain degree, following in line of his earlier thoughts. People loved being called pretty and bird was a compliment to some. They could fly fast and were nimble, it seemed like a compliment to him.
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