Graveyard

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

It took Antha only a moment to put everything as it had been, drawing a folded sheet of white paper from under the tight laces of her boot to replace the book she had taken. Three years earlier, she had found a similar note left on her bookshelf when the same book had been stolen from her. The least she could do was return the gesture. So finally, with the heavy book clasped under her left arm, she shut up the compartment as it had been and withdrew from the water stained wall until she stood facing Vikteren. A faint glimmer of concern shown in her eyes, something she thought quickly to conceal as she started for the door, touching his arm lightly as if to beg him to follow.
She couldn't help but wonder if she should tell him who it was that rested in the old coffin. After all, he had shown a particular interest in Sleet when he had been mentioned. And why else would he have dared to invade the coven's crypt if it wasn't for Sleet? These thoughts kept her preoccupied as she made her way down the narrow hall, her steps only slightly more reckless than they had been upon entering. When finally she reached the opening into the chamber beyond, snapping out of her thoughts as if from a trance, she found herself searching the area behind her frantically for Vikteren, angry with herself that she hadn't been paying any attention whatsoever.

Vikteren stood behind her in the gloom, well out of her line of sight. "Who slept in that place?" he inquired, stepping forward. "You seem--ah--distraught." He didn't tell her what else he could taste in the air around her.  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

Antha's grip on the book slackened slightly as her eyes diverted as if to look for the right words to say. "Someone who should be ignored if ever possible." Again she gripped the edges of the book, silently cursing herself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd taken measures to keep someone out of danger and it infuriated her, honestly. "Just...please don't go back in there. I don't..."
She didn't finish her sentence; she only stood quite still in utter silence, save for the gentle sound of her breath, presumably lost in thought. Without even realizing it, she ordered the umbra to very slowly close the door and latch it back from the inside soundlessly. She wasn't sure if Vikteren could open it from the outside but it was a better chance than nothing. Besides, precaution is the best remedy for terror.

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

Antha's grip on the book slackened slightly as her eyes diverted as if to look for the right words to say. "Someone who should be ignored if ever possible." Again she gripped the edges of the book, silently cursing herself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd taken measures to keep someone out of danger and it infuriated her, honestly. "Just...please don't go back in there. I don't..."
She didn't finish her sentence; she only stood quite still in utter silence, save for the gentle sound of her breath, presumably lost in thought. Without even realizing it, she ordered the umbra to very slowly close the door and latch it back from the inside soundlessly. She wasn't sure if Vikteren could open it from the outside but it was a better chance than nothing. Besides, precaution is the best remedy for terror.

He tilted his head, waiting for her to organize and complete her thoughts. Vikteren had lived--if that was the correct term for it--for over four hundred years, but it was his first time encountering one of her heritage. To what extent her powers reached, he was not certain, but the Mayfairs had held off the worst of the consequences for a long time, and she was their head. If she was unnerved, there was something down there that was bad enough to--"Sleet," he said, suddenly understanding. The worst thing in these catacombs could only be the master vampire of the coven. Then--"You walked into his resting place?" he asked incredulously. "For that book?"  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

Antha was quiet for a few moments, afraid to speak lest her voice carry. But she was out of the hallway now and the door was again closed on the demon's resting place. "For Mayfairs, there is nothing but the legacy, the power and curse wound together. Over the years, some of the more talented Mayfairs have written everything they know down into separate volumes. As the Designee of the Legacy, most of these books are in my possession. But Sleet stole this from me. And I..." Her eyes seemed glazed for a split second as she watched the old dust on the floor stir with the restless air that constantly filled the old catacombs. Finally, gathering her wits, she let her eyes fall on Vikteren's and bid the walls around her mind fall down to erase the distance she had tried to maintain. "I am a slave to my place in the Mayfair family. The family tells me what to be, where to stay, who to keep in contact with, altogether simply what to do every moment of my life. The family even goes so far as to demand that I only fall in love with the person they decide upon." A bitter smile crept up on her pale lips, her whole face stinging with the cold in one instant. "So when the legacy is threatened, I have to repair the damage dealt no matter what danger it causes to me. This book---written by James Mayfair, of whom I am directly descent---is one of the 13 key written pieces of the Mayfair Legacy." Listening to herself, she almost laughed. The way she envisioned herself, how she saw herself in her mind's eye, she did nothing the family told her to do. As a matter of fact, she tried her best to do the opposite. But at the same time, she was playing right into their hands, a puppet on the end of so many strings. When Antha had seen the chance, she had wasted not a moment in risking her life to rescue the book. And thinking of this, openly as if to even invite Vikteren into her thoughts, she did laugh at herself. "What an idiot puppet I am..."

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

Antha was quiet for a few moments, afraid to speak lest her voice carry. But she was out of the hallway now and the door was again closed on the demon's resting place. "For Mayfairs, there is nothing but the legacy, the power and curse wound together. Over the years, some of the more talented Mayfairs have written everything they know down into separate volumes. As the Designee of the Legacy, most of these books are in my possession. But Sleet stole this from me. And I..." Her eyes seemed glazed for a split second as she watched the old dust on the floor stir with the restless air that constantly filled the old catacombs. Finally, gathering her wits, she let her eyes fall on Vikteren's and bid the walls around her mind fall down to erase the distance she had tried to maintain. "I am a slave to my place in the Mayfair family. The family tells me what to be, where to stay, who to keep in contact with, altogether simply what to do every moment of my life. The family even goes so far as to demand that I only fall in love with the person they decide upon." A bitter smile crept up on her pale lips, her whole face stinging with the cold in one instant. "So when the legacy is threatened, I have to repair the damage dealt no matter what danger it causes to me. This book---written by James Mayfair, of whom I am directly descent---is one of the 13 key written pieces of the Mayfair Legacy." Listening to herself, she almost laughed. The way she envisioned herself, how she saw herself in her mind's eye, she did nothing the family told her to do. As a matter of fact, she tried her best to do the opposite. But at the same time, she was playing right into their hands, a puppet on the end of so many strings. When Antha had seen the chance, she had wasted not a moment in risking her life to rescue the book. And thinking of this, openly as if to even invite Vikteren into her thoughts, she did laugh at herself. "What an idiot puppet I am..."

He remained still, watching her. "Why do you allow it, then? Forgive me, but you do not strike me as one who is amiable to being ordered about." The vampire did not voice his other thoughts--what in hell kind of hold would they have to have on her to be able to-- He winced, realizing that in his surprise his thoughts were being broadcast like a radio station. Vikteren knew what it was like to be used for 'the good of the family', but that had been a long time ago, and he had at least been able to give his heart to whom he chose. And look what came of it. The thought rose unbidden, a sharp clench in his chest.  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

Antha was silent, listening to any thoughts she was able to grab hold of from his head. "Everything is made of spirits, spirits who are bound to the Mayfair family and refuse to let it fall apart. In that way, the entire universe conspires to keep the Mayfairs together." She hated herself at the moment, hated that she couldn't give herself the icy edge she was known for. But she was still upset about the way she had spoken to him during their first meeting. Needless to say, something was wrong with her.
"You're lucky," she said softly, interrupting her own thoughts. "You were allowed to fall in love. Me..." She stopped abruptly, turning on her heel so quickly that her hair and the material of her skirt couldn't quite keep up, and started down the next hall back towards the entrance. She felt choked suddenly, unable to say another word or even look at Vikteren for that matter. And to top it off she was feverish again, her face flushed considerably and her skin almost unbearably hot.
The strongest ring of umbra chased after her as always but she willed them away, angry as she thought again and again of the fact that it was their doing, her curse.

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

Antha was silent, listening to any thoughts she was able to grab hold of from his head. "Everything is made of spirits, spirits who are bound to the Mayfair family and refuse to let it fall apart. In that way, the entire universe conspires to keep the Mayfairs together." She hated herself at the moment, hated that she couldn't give herself the icy edge she was known for. But she was still upset about the way she had spoken to him during their first meeting. Needless to say, something was wrong with her.
"You're lucky," she said softly, interrupting her own thoughts. "You were allowed to fall in love. Me..." She stopped abruptly, turning on her heel so quickly that her hair and the material of her skirt couldn't quite keep up, and started down the next hall back towards the entrance. She felt choked suddenly, unable to say another word or even look at Vikteren for that matter. And to top it off she was feverish again, her face flushed considerably and her skin almost unbearably hot.
The strongest ring of umbra chased after her as always but she willed them away, angry as she thought again and again of the fact that it was their doing, her curse.

He stood there, silent, watching her go. Then he was beside her. Vampires could move faster than anything--anything alive, that is--over short distances. His hand caught her arm, held on. "Antha." He stopped, bowed his head briefly, to shield her from the emerald light in his eyes. "Antha, why are you running?"  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

She stopped short as she felt the cold of his hand on her arm, her eyes turning up to study his face. "What else should I do? The longer I stay here, the more dangerous it will be and if I don't get the book back safely, what use will I be?" She stood still, waiting for an answer but expecting none. The book was still held tightly in her left arm, pressed to her chest as if she couldn't bare to put an inch between it and herself. Her other hand, however, was clasped around the Mayfair emerald that hung from her neck, an instinctive reaction. And the fever still shone in her cheeks, rising very steadily so that even in the cold crypt she felt hot as if caught in the midsummer sun.

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

She stopped short as she felt the cold of his hand on her arm, her eyes turning up to study his face. "What else should I do? The longer I stay here, the more dangerous it will be and if I don't get the book back safely, what use will I be?" She stood still, waiting for an answer but expecting none. The book was still held tightly in her left arm, pressed to her chest as if she couldn't bare to put an inch between it and herself. Her other hand, however, was clasped around the Mayfair emerald that hung from her neck, an instinctive reaction. And the fever still shone in her cheeks, rising very steadily so that even in the cold crypt she felt hot as if caught in the midsummer sun.

Vikteren released her then, slowly. "They are your family, and I cannot lay fault upon you for serving them. But as--unaccustomed--to the ways of humans as I am, you seem dissatisfied by this servitude." He tipped his head to the side, let his hand brush against the skin of her cheek. Then, the vampire went still. There was a soft hisssss of indrawn breath. "You're sick." he said flatly. It might have been a question, had it been spoken by anyone without that curious inhuman voice. "You should be resting."  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

On impulse Antha took hold of his hand and for a moment fit it to her cheek. She felt a little faint from the fever and the cold of his skin helped remarkably. "Stubborn people don't rest when they're sick, or didn't you know?" Her eyes closed only reluctantly for several prolonged moments and in the darkness that followed she could see her internal organs, her lungs struggling to breathe correctly and her heart pounding a little faster than normal, though she knew why that was. "Besides, this happens all the time. If I rested every time I became sick, I would never leave Satis House." Her eyes fluttered open again and she took a step back before her hand went to cover her mouth as a cough emitted from her.

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

On impulse Antha took hold of his hand and for a moment fit it to her cheek. She felt a little faint from the fever and the cold of his skin helped remarkably. "Stubborn people don't rest when they're sick, or didn't you know?" Her eyes closed only reluctantly for several prolonged moments and in the darkness that followed she could see her internal organs, her lungs struggling to breathe correctly and her heart pounding a little faster than normal, though she knew why that was. "Besides, this happens all the time. If I rested every time I became sick, I would never leave Satis House." Her eyes fluttered open again and she took a step back before her hand went to cover her mouth as a cough emitted from her.

"I wouldn't be concerned if it was mere stubbornness," He gave her a quick once-over. "But--forgive me--it seems more than a little foolhardy to go running yourself to the brink of exhaustion, particularly in such a place as this, even were you not in a debilitated condition." A pause. "I would escort you to your home, but I do not believe--unless I am more tired than I had thought-- that twilight has yet begun. Can you make it on your own, Antha?"  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

"I'll be fine," she said hastily as she went to leave, her steps hurried only slightly. But, after counting up the hours in her head, she stopped and took another long look at Vikteren. "I suggest you leave this area, however. Darkness is only a few hours away and Sleet tends to rise early." A concerned glimmer shown in her eyes for a moment before she again began down the hallway and finally onto the first set of stairs, fighting off a cough that would have made her stop in her tracks. She felt frustrated that Sleet could rise any moment, and even more so that he might find her in this state. Possibly she was even afraid. All Antha knew was that suddenly she wanted to call for Khayman or Nicholae's help, beginning to believe she wouldn't be able to make it all the way back to the cemetery.

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

"I'll be fine," she said hastily as she went to leave, her steps hurried only slightly. But, after counting up the hours in her head, she stopped and took another long look at Vikteren. "I suggest you leave this area, however. Darkness is only a few hours away and Sleet tends to rise early." A concerned glimmer shown in her eyes for a moment before she again began down the hallway and finally onto the first set of stairs, fighting off a cough that would have made her stop in her tracks. She felt frustrated that Sleet could rise any moment, and even more so that he might find her in this state. Possibly she was even afraid. All Antha knew was that suddenly she wanted to call for Khayman or Nicholae's help, beginning to believe she wouldn't be able to make it all the way back to the cemetery.

The vampire watched her leave in silence. What else was he to do? He could not venture outside these halls until sunset. But he was damned--more than usual, that is--if he was going to play hide-and-seek with anyone. Vikteren stretched, and began to follow her. He could escort her until she reached the way outside, at least.  

[XCandy and LunacyX]

Antha proceeded down the hall as she came to it, oddly fearless considering the identities of those who lurked around every bend, sleeping for the moment. It wasn't until she had almost reached the next set of stairs that she realized she wasn't alone, so overloaded was her mind as to not allow her senses to function properly. So when she came to the foot of the stairs, her hand resting on the rickety old railing that had barely withstood the years, she came to a halt and stood waiting until he caught up. What did you come here for? She didn't wait to ask him this; rather she sent it mentally over the distance between them as she stood still and silent. Didn't Sleet have something to do with your intrusion upon these catacombs?

 

[Vikteren]

+Rotting Lunacy+

Antha proceeded down the hall as she came to it, oddly fearless considering the identities of those who lurked around every bend, sleeping for the moment. It wasn't until she had almost reached the next set of stairs that she realized she wasn't alone, so overloaded was her mind as to not allow her senses to function properly. So when she came to the foot of the stairs, her hand resting on the rickety old railing that had barely withstood the years, she came to a halt and stood waiting until he caught up. What did you come here for? She didn't wait to ask him this; rather she sent it mentally over the distance between them as she stood still and silent. Didn't Sleet have something to do with your intrusion upon these catacombs?

He hesitated at the voice in his mind, then sent back a careful reply. He hadn't had formal training in any sort of mental communication, but had picked up bits and pieces of it over the centuries. Yes. But I would prefer to know, to be certain, that you are out of harm's way before I begin anything. My kind do not take well to-- he shut the thought off before he could complete it. But she is not quite 'human' intervention, is she...