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The way they were staring into his eyes, he couldn't really make out the color too clearly because of how the shadows hit them, but it made him feel weird. He broke the gaze first, looking away as if he'd heard something. He hadn't heard anything. "Huh, must have been an owl.." The male remarked absently, finally looking back at the ghost as it got distracted saying his name.

Ace chuckled while the other vampire drew it out. He guessed that was one way to commit it to memory. His brows raised a bit when they said Gremlin.. and then Gretta. Gretta? He wasn't one to generally make judgements but that sounded feminine and with the soft voice and height he was pretty sure his mystery friend was a woman. Interesting turn of events. "Well, then. It's a pleasure." He smiled.

Now that they were on first name terms it was time to get going. He didn't like the look of the clouds coming up behind them. They were still a ways away but he didn't want to get caught in the rain if he could avoid it. "Ready?" He still had no idea why he was taking this vampire anywhere. He wasn't really afraid of them but he still didn't quite know them well at all, first names aside. He'd handle things fine if it turned out to be some bullshit setup. But his gut told him that, at least at the moment, he didn't have to really worry about this one causing him trouble.

Ace glanced over at his companion, regarding them from the side of his eye quizzically. Were they mimicking him again? He had a feeling they were but it only made him chuckle. "Plecam atunci.. ah.. off we go." He corrected, sometimes it just felt better to speak his own tongue. However no-one outside of the clan or Kumpania generally understood it so he wasnt in the habit of using it often around outsiders. He smothered the tip of his cigarette and flicked it off into the night. It was Hemlock. He didn't really give two shits about Hemlock. He probably wouldn't have done that in the woods however. Bad luck.

The cobbled streets soon gave way to dirt and the woods began to loom up on either side, trees rising into the night like giants. There was a moon but it peeked in and out from behind thick clouds. Illuminating them in silver for brief moments before vanishing again completely. If they hadn't been able to see in the dark so well they likely would have gotten lost quickly.

Gremlin was full of energy, he was usually also fairly animated but it had been a few days since his last feed so he moved slower and felt less vitality coursing through his veins. He'd eat soon. There were other Ravnos at the Patshiva so he would likely find someone to fill his cup. He turned to keep an eye on the ghost as they moved about. He admired how excited they were to be walking down a dirt road. He tried to remember the last time he'd been that excited about anything. He generally enjoyed life, he certainly had a zest for it, but to be that excited. It was cute. He felt awkward, realizing he hadn't really spoken since they'd started walking, so he decided to break the silence. "Do you have family, little ghost?" If he only knew.

The voice parroting his language made him chuckle, it was kind of cute. His gaze followed the many adventures his companion was having as they walked the lone path through the woods. He kept catching glimpses of the mystery Vampire beneath but never enough to be certain what exactly he was dealing with. It was small, well shorter than him by a decent amount. Quick as well. The way they darted through the trees and suddenly emerged without warning. If he hadn’t been as old as he was, and a vampire, Gremlin likely would have scared the s**t out of him a couple of times along the way already.

His question seemed to bring them back to the road, at least for the moment, and Ace listened carefully while they spoke. A big family, huh? His eyes softened a little bit and he smiled. It struck him as strange that they’d only recently met them if the family was so large, however, how could he possibly know why? Perhaps there was a good reason. The way they spoke about their sibling, mother, and father brought his smile back. “Ah, yes. It’s easy to see you love them and I’m sure they love you just as much. Keep them close, little ghost.” His expression didn’t change. It was still warm and friendly as he shifted his gaze from Gremlin to the sky.

They’d been walking for close to an hour now if he had to guess. He could feel the storm at their backs as the pressure changed. He was starting to doubt they’d make it before the rain hit but he wasn’t about to go back to Hemlock. He wanted a warm fire and some good music. Thunder rolled in the distance, he tried to count it and guessed they had a half hour before it caught them. Maybe an hour if they were really lucky. “Tch, there would be bad weather tonight.” He commented, squinting at the sky. “Looks like our little adventure is about to get a lot more interesting if we don’t pick up the pace a bit.” Like he wasn’t the one walking slowly to begin with.

Ace smiled, finding it funny that this stranger felt like their family would like him. He must have been making a good impression. Not that he thought he was unlikable, no, more that he just wasn't the type to expect anything positive from anyone quickly. It was the same reason that even as they walked and talked he still felt guarded in some way. Just in case. This despite the fact he found the other vampires voice soothing. When Gremlin picked up on the rain and their good mood seemed to increase he found himself smiling again. Did anything dampen this kats spirits? He was beginning to be convinced that nothing really seemed to. It was... refreshing.

Ace himself didn't hate the rain, rather he didn't like being soggy for no reason. The way the earth and sky smelled, the fresh energy charging the air, the way everything went inward retrospectively and a mood settled over the landscape. He liked that. But he liked it more from the comfort of a Vardo with a fire. He wasn't one to dismiss another's passions so he nodded instead of dismissing the excitement at getting caught in the rain. "The rain can be lovely.. yes. But we may end up drenched by the time we reach the Kumpania. And I don't know if being soggy is going to make the night better or worse." His laughter was warm, genuine, Ace didn't generally laugh unless he was truly amused or uncomfortable. But uncomfortable usually presented as a low chuckle rather than an actual laugh.

The jab made him raise his eyebrows in good natured surprise, pressing a hand to his chest incredulously. "Are you suggesting that I am the one holding us up?" He shook his head, tutting the other with a click of his tongue. "I am nothing if not prudent and I only move expiditiously." That charming grin lit up his face, however he did begin to pick up the pace. An ear swileveled absently as the question about his family came up. He had to expect it. He'd asked about theirs. His expression didn't change aside from his grin melting into a warm smile, in fact it seemed to be held specifically in a place of kindness. "I have the Kumpania, and the clan. That's plenty for anyone." He chuckled, searching for his cigarettes. "Aye, little ghost, do you smoke?" He realized he hadn't offered. Something told him this individual wasn't a big smoker but it was rude not to offer a traveling companion a smoke. Whether that was a Ravnos thing or an Ace thing was up for debate.

The Elder smiled, the idea of being curled up in front of a fire on a rainy night... well, he'd already expressed how much he liked a rainy night indoors. They had that in common. It struck him as odd how comfortable they were both acting with one another. This random vampire that suddenly fell from the roof of a building and started mimicking him. He should have just thrown a horror and vanished. Yet it hadn't even crossed his mind. Not once. Ace watched the ghosts progress as they moved backward, impressed they hadn't tripped yet either on their sheet or over their own feet. Instead they seemed to glide. Quick and agile. He smiled and picked up his pace. If they were going to walk faster than him backwards he had to do something to save face. "Fine, fine.. we can agree to disagree that I am, indeed, the one keeping us from going faster."

The click of Ace's lighter echoed through the night as he shielded his cigarette from the breeze. "Ah, silly me. I forgot ghosts kick the habit once they hit the other side." As he lit the end the flame illuminated his face and the scar above his left eyebrow, casting his blue eyes into a rich shade of lapis lazuli. Those deep blue eyes lifted to catch a quick glance of Gremlin and his eyebrows shot up suddenly. His next movement was so fast it was hard to see. Ace had his arm wrapped around Gremlins waist, holding the other vampire close to his body as he stopped them both dead in their tracks. A large tree had fallen across the road at some point since he'd last crossed here and his companion would have likely smacked right into it. There were a lot of things Ace did on reflex. Saving a vampire from a fallen tree that likely wouldn't have hurt them at all wasn't on that list. He looked confused, why did he do that? His eyes dropped to the sheet draped Kat in his arms and he felt hot suddenly, nervous. He gave them an awkward smile and let them go. "Ah, sorry.. big tree. Close one." What the ******** was wrong with him?

Ace took a deep drag on his cigarette, trying to soothe his nerves as he riddled out why he felt compelled to grab a stranger the second they might have tripped on a tree. Like it had been a pit of vipers. No clue. He shook his head as he approached the fallen monster, the question about his clan left unanswered for the moment. He wondered why the tree had fallen. It wasn't old or sick, it looked healthy. He felt a chill. The first drops of rain began to fall. Icy cold. But it wasn't the rain that bothered him however. "Come on little ghost." He gestured with one arm for them to come closer. His voice hushed, serious. "I don't think we're alone."

It wasn’t long before Ace’s hunch became a fact and he quickly stubbed out his cigarette, blowing the smoke into his palms and rubbing them in the dirt. In the distance, he heard a branch snap, and as he stood on his tiptoes to peer over the tree, he could see them. Their eyes practically glowed in the darkness as they ran across the path. One stopped, sniffed the air, and then continued after. Werewolves. He wasn’t sure what tribe or pack. It didn’t matter. One was trouble enough but there were at least three, maybe four. If they caught the scent of either of them the vampires were in serious trouble.

As Gremlin joined him, he glanced down at them, his gaze fixed into one not quite of fear but of grave concern. He shook his head and pressed a claw to his lips. They had to be quiet. Luckily the rain was starting to fall harder. He wasn’t usually grateful to get caught in the rain, but it might be the only thing that kept them off the other predator’s radar, so he was grateful for that. The werewolves had stopped a few paces off the side of the road and seemed to be scouting, looking for something. He wasn’t sure if it was them or if this was just an unfortunate run-in. He hoped for the latter.

Ace gestured with his head that they move around the tree. Climbing over was too risky and it had no room to scoot beneath the trunk. He silently started to the right and headed off the path into the woods, careful to avoid any sticks or branches. Anything that would make noise. The sound of the rain was suddenly accompanied by the growl of thunder overhead, the wind had begun to pick up as well. They were going to have a hell of a time on the final leg of their journey. They couldn’t have had too much farther to travel to get to the Kumpania. Unless it had moved. But he doubted it. It wasn’t the right time for a move. They’d know the storm was on its way. Ace stopped to check for Gremlin, making sure his companion was close. He couldn’t explain why he was so concerned but he didn’t overthink it. Not now.

They seemed to be moving along successfully without drawing attention to themselves. Ace kept a careful eye on his companion, just in case they started to fall behind, while also keeping an eye on the threat across the way. It couldn't have been easy maneuvering silently in a sopping wet sheet, but he wasn't about to tell them to remove it. His cold blue gaze lifted to the pack as he and Gremlin gave a wide berth and circled around on the opposite side of the path. With the noise from the weather, he felt hopeful. Maybe they could actually make it around unnoticed, that was, until he heard Gremlin fall. His stomach dropped, and the Elder froze in place, watching as those luminous predatory eyes raised and turned towards them. ********. They were ********. A low growl followed the thunder as it rolled on, the bodies of the Werewolves turning toward the two vampires, oh yeah.. they knew.

Ace wasn't fully fed, he could probably throw a single Horrid Reality if he tried. But not one for each of them. Not without feeding. He moved himself between Gremlin and the Werewolves, carefully turning to crouch and gather the ghost up in his arms. They could squirm away if they wanted but there really wasnt a lot of room for error now and he wasn't going to wait to ask permission. Not if they wanted to get out of here in one piece. Bundling the sheet up around the others body he noticed that, aside from the weight of the fabric, they weighed almost nothing in his arms. He felt that weird sensation again in his stomach, like nerves, before quickly dismissing it. "Trust me." His voice was quiet, low, as he looked down at Gremlin briefly and gave them a wink, returning his focus on the group making their way back to the road.

Ace's gaze darkened, his focus heavily on the largest of the pack. Nothing appeared to be happening for the first few moments aside from the Werewolves gaining ground, claws ready, elongated fangs set to rend vampiric flesh. The male absent-mindedly curled his paws more firmly around the Kat in his arms, pulling them closer to his body. "We're going to have to run, but I can carry you for a while." His voice was serious, still low even though they had already been spotted. He wasn't sure how much of a shot they had to take, but any was worth taking. Snarling broke the tense silence and Ace's attention snapped to his earlier target. The largest Werewolf had turned on the others and began to attack them, his gaze frenzied with fear as he launched himself at his pack mates. The others were so caught off guard, so startled, they immediately broke their focus on the vampires to try and reason with the one who had lost his mind. But nothing worked.

As they focused all their attention away from their initial targets, Ace took the opportunity to start running. He didn't wait to watch. He didn't care what happened. The illusion could last all night or end in minutes. Given he hadn't fed, there was no telling how strong it would be. He ran as fast as he could through the rain and the darkness, keeping Gremlin locked tightly in his arms. A crack of lightning lit up the sky above them, the roll of thunder following close on its heels. Faster. He hadn't remembered a time he'd run for his life like this.. not since... not now. Getting lost in old memories wasn't going to help either of them.