Tai didn't bat an eyelash as Ellis stormed in. He very nearly batted one as her shoe put a hole in the drywall six inches from his head. As it was he turned to look over one broad shoulder, an eyebrow raised at her. Plucking the shoe from the drywall with one hand (one more thing to fix), he placed it carefully on the floor. Fortunately, he observed, Ellis was completely naked and out of shoes.
He maintained his silence, knowing Ellis wasn't about to injure him... not badly anyway, but not entirely trusting her either. He'd never seen her so worked up as she clutched the pipe in a white-knuckled grip and took a few deep breaths.
Turning to face her, he leaned up against the wall. Crossing his arms over his muscular chest he waited for her to notice him. She would either tell him to leave, or tell him what she wanted. Either way he had been hers for the commanding some weeks now, and that wasn't about to change.
A bad day.
Ellis burst through the doors into the shelter, throwing her shawl down and tearing her red wrap off her body. Walking naked now, she passed the drywall sections of her lab and office, in a direct path to her living quarters near the back. Her heels still on, they clicked angrily down the the main lobby area. If Tai were there, she ignored him.
Grabbing a pipe to balance herself, she reached behind to slip one shoe off, dropping it behind her and then the other. Her fingernail snagged a bit of the buckle and she tore it off her foot, throwing it into an unpainted drywall, putting a hole clean through it.
She stood there, breathing heavily. Both hands slowly came up and rested on the gray pipe in front of her. Ellis gently rested her head on her hands and tried to slow her breathing. She was acting irrationally. She was reacting emotionally. She took a long deep breath and exhaled out her mouth. It took everything not to tear the pipe off the wall.
Betrayal from Simon was one thing, but knowing that her only child and her one favorite familiar were together, possibly behind her back. When....when did it start? She tried to recall just when. Walking in on them once in the lobby...maybe then. But it was nothing out of the ordinary. Silly flirty Carol and quiet annoyed Simon. She never noticed anything on the tapes, but she never thought either one would try anything behind her back. It's one thing to plot to kill her, it's another to take what was RIGHTFULLY HERS.
Long deep breath in.
Long breath out.
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Tai was there now, trying to ease her anger and avoid her lashing out at him - but he wasn't succeeding at either attempt. Moving away from him, she walked to her wardrobe and opened it. Ellis had already started her collection of designer clothes again, missing the feel of silk on her body. Reaching out she touched the soft material and with a suddenly urge of rage, she tore every piece that resembled anything remotely soft out of her closet, tearing at the material until she had a shredded mess on the floor.
Folded neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe was a leather outfit. There had been some clothes scattered about the city that reminded her of what she really was. This was one of her favorites. It was a black leather catsuit with silver buckles up the arms and down the legs. The last time she had worn it was when she killed the Assistant District attorney.
Funny how everything fell into place, as if it were all divinely planned.
She turned and looked at Tai who was still waiting patiently for her command. Ellis then looked back at the leather outfit. Slipping it on, she sighed - finally calm. Finding her boots, she sat on her bed and pulled them on. It was time to let go of the frills of leadership and money. The designer dresses, the furs, the stiletto heels. Standing she bent her arms, pulling them forward, stretching the leather. The material creaked softly.
Yes. This would do.
'Tai darling. Time to visit the DA.'
Folded neatly at the bottom of the wardrobe was a leather outfit. There had been some clothes scattered about the city that reminded her of what she really was. This was one of her favorites. It was a black leather catsuit with silver buckles up the arms and down the legs. The last time she had worn it was when she killed the Assistant District attorney.
Funny how everything fell into place, as if it were all divinely planned.
She turned and looked at Tai who was still waiting patiently for her command. Ellis then looked back at the leather outfit. Slipping it on, she sighed - finally calm. Finding her boots, she sat on her bed and pulled them on. It was time to let go of the frills of leadership and money. The designer dresses, the furs, the stiletto heels. Standing she bent her arms, pulling them forward, stretching the leather. The material creaked softly.
Yes. This would do.
'Tai darling. Time to visit the DA.'
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai waited with as much patience as possible as Ellis went on yet another short rampage. It was rather like watching a tiger tear into a steak and hoping you weren't next on the menu. That said, Tai didn't think he was anywhere near the top of the list.
Ellis' next actions and words confirmed that. Her outfit was definitely a 'work' outfit. Tai had developed the habit, arond Ellis, to always be dressed for action. There was no need to change. What he was wearing was already suitable for nocturnal comings and goings.
Ever the silent type, Tai nodded once to Ellis, recalling their last visit to the DA's office and the offensive man within. Seeing him again would be a pleasure. Scaring him again even moreso. Tai uncrossed his arms and stepped smoothly away from the wall. With one hand he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Then he bent over, retied his shoelace, and made sure his shirt was properly tucked in.
Tai was a fan of looking good when he went out... and in the process he'd reassured himself that the weapons concealed about his body were, indeed, still in place. Stepping up to Ellis, his expression told her he was ready for whatever action was on the schedule that night.
Ellis' next actions and words confirmed that. Her outfit was definitely a 'work' outfit. Tai had developed the habit, arond Ellis, to always be dressed for action. There was no need to change. What he was wearing was already suitable for nocturnal comings and goings.
Ever the silent type, Tai nodded once to Ellis, recalling their last visit to the DA's office and the offensive man within. Seeing him again would be a pleasure. Scaring him again even moreso. Tai uncrossed his arms and stepped smoothly away from the wall. With one hand he reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. Then he bent over, retied his shoelace, and made sure his shirt was properly tucked in.
Tai was a fan of looking good when he went out... and in the process he'd reassured himself that the weapons concealed about his body were, indeed, still in place. Stepping up to Ellis, his expression told her he was ready for whatever action was on the schedule that night.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis looked at Tai and watched him prepare. Leaning against the wardrobe, she crossed her arms and eyed him, from head to toe.
'Tell me something Tai,' she started quietly.
Normally, this wasn't something that would concern Ellis. Her hold had always been quite capable of maintaining loyalty to her, but recent events had obviously given her a reason to question it. Tai was so easy to break and he's so willing to serve - which now made her suspicious. Holding something over someone just didn't work as well as it used to, but taking away something that was dear - giving someone nothing to live for...that was not only fun but effective.
'Your friend, the ada - your feelings for her. What are they?'
'Tell me something Tai,' she started quietly.
Normally, this wasn't something that would concern Ellis. Her hold had always been quite capable of maintaining loyalty to her, but recent events had obviously given her a reason to question it. Tai was so easy to break and he's so willing to serve - which now made her suspicious. Holding something over someone just didn't work as well as it used to, but taking away something that was dear - giving someone nothing to live for...that was not only fun but effective.
'Your friend, the ada - your feelings for her. What are they?'
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai felt his eyes widen just the slightest bit. He'd already told Ellis everything she could possibly have wanted to know about Yuu; everything he'd known. He had never intended for Yuu to get involved, but did it matter?
He was, if one knew what to look for, visibly torn. He wasn't anywhere near soft enough to think he and Yuu had any sort of bond beyond the physical, but he had been... fond of her. Slightly protective, even, a rare event for him. Then again, she hadn't made any effort to contact him recently, and he couldn't help but think that in spite of what might or might not have passed between them, her knowing his origins had dissuaded her from further association.
It didn't even cross his mind to lie to Ellis, however.
"I'm not sure I'd want her dead, if that's what you're asking," he said. His passive mask fell into place. "But if that's the job then that's the job. I'm not sure what would be gained by killing her though."
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. Why was he still making any effort to protect Yuu? Ellis was all that mattered. Ellis was all that had mattered since she'd overpowered him and bitten him in that alley. Yuu had been something else, however.
His doubt, in spite of his best efforts, was etched clearly upon his face. He wasn't sure what he felt about Yuu... but he didn't want her dead. But Ellis' hold on him was strong enough that he also didn't want to disobey her wishes.
He was, if one knew what to look for, visibly torn. He wasn't anywhere near soft enough to think he and Yuu had any sort of bond beyond the physical, but he had been... fond of her. Slightly protective, even, a rare event for him. Then again, she hadn't made any effort to contact him recently, and he couldn't help but think that in spite of what might or might not have passed between them, her knowing his origins had dissuaded her from further association.
It didn't even cross his mind to lie to Ellis, however.
"I'm not sure I'd want her dead, if that's what you're asking," he said. His passive mask fell into place. "But if that's the job then that's the job. I'm not sure what would be gained by killing her though."
He shrugged, feigning nonchalance. Why was he still making any effort to protect Yuu? Ellis was all that mattered. Ellis was all that had mattered since she'd overpowered him and bitten him in that alley. Yuu had been something else, however.
His doubt, in spite of his best efforts, was etched clearly upon his face. He wasn't sure what he felt about Yuu... but he didn't want her dead. But Ellis' hold on him was strong enough that he also didn't want to disobey her wishes.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis eyes narrowed as she tipped her head forward slowly. Looking down at her nails, her hair dusted in front of her seething green eyes. She didn't believe him. Her hold on Tai was purely a familiar bind, sexual at best. Ellis was slowly realizing, much to her dismay, it wasn't what she could take, but more what she could give.
Generosity begot loyalty. Granted not the material kind - she gave Simon everything. Her gift in turning him though - that's where she failed. Simon hadn't wanted to live forever, he just wanted her forever. She had that affect on men. Flicking her fingernails together, she grinned behind her dark hair.
So it wasn't what she could take from Tai - it would be what she could give to him. Her eyes flicked back up to Tai's. He was struggling with his pretty asian girl's life. It was that inner tourmoil she needed to deal with.
'Hmm, yeah,' she said quietly. 'That's what I figured.'
In a flash she was on him, her nails dug into his shoulders as she pinned him down on the bed. Her fangs tingled now, no practically vibrated in her mouth. She almost broke his jaw shoving his chin upward. Baring her fangs, she sunk her teeth into Tai's neck, sucking at his blood so hard, she felt his body tense with the shock of it.
His blood filled the void in her. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she drank. Warm fuzzies, that's how she described it - a gentle blanket of warmth caressed her as she filled her stomach. A minute passed as she gorged herself on him. He was close to death now, she could feel the rush of the blood slow down. His body sank into the bed, weak and limp and just before that point of no return, Ellis stopped and looked at Tai.
Leaning back on her right elbow, she laid next to him and smiled. Blood dripped from her chin, onto the sheets. She took a finger and wiped at the blood, then she sucked on her finger till it was clean. He was dying and yet she waited. Ellis Duban leaned forward and spoke the last words Ichiro Taiji would ever hear in his cold, dark human life.
'I give this to you. This...gift. You are no where close to proving yourself worthy of this gift, Tai, but I -know- that you won't fail me. This gift I give you now...use it wisely, Tai. I am everything to you now. Your lover, your killer...your creator. Make me proud.'
Ellis took her left wrist and bit down with her fangs. The wound was free flowing and she held it up to his mouth. The blood seeped into his mouth, coloring his lips red, yet his eyes were blank and his skin paled. Ellis whispered softly into his ear.
'Drink.'
Generosity begot loyalty. Granted not the material kind - she gave Simon everything. Her gift in turning him though - that's where she failed. Simon hadn't wanted to live forever, he just wanted her forever. She had that affect on men. Flicking her fingernails together, she grinned behind her dark hair.
So it wasn't what she could take from Tai - it would be what she could give to him. Her eyes flicked back up to Tai's. He was struggling with his pretty asian girl's life. It was that inner tourmoil she needed to deal with.
'Hmm, yeah,' she said quietly. 'That's what I figured.'
In a flash she was on him, her nails dug into his shoulders as she pinned him down on the bed. Her fangs tingled now, no practically vibrated in her mouth. She almost broke his jaw shoving his chin upward. Baring her fangs, she sunk her teeth into Tai's neck, sucking at his blood so hard, she felt his body tense with the shock of it.
His blood filled the void in her. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she drank. Warm fuzzies, that's how she described it - a gentle blanket of warmth caressed her as she filled her stomach. A minute passed as she gorged herself on him. He was close to death now, she could feel the rush of the blood slow down. His body sank into the bed, weak and limp and just before that point of no return, Ellis stopped and looked at Tai.
Leaning back on her right elbow, she laid next to him and smiled. Blood dripped from her chin, onto the sheets. She took a finger and wiped at the blood, then she sucked on her finger till it was clean. He was dying and yet she waited. Ellis Duban leaned forward and spoke the last words Ichiro Taiji would ever hear in his cold, dark human life.
'I give this to you. This...gift. You are no where close to proving yourself worthy of this gift, Tai, but I -know- that you won't fail me. This gift I give you now...use it wisely, Tai. I am everything to you now. Your lover, your killer...your creator. Make me proud.'
Ellis took her left wrist and bit down with her fangs. The wound was free flowing and she held it up to his mouth. The blood seeped into his mouth, coloring his lips red, yet his eyes were blank and his skin paled. Ellis whispered softly into his ear.
'Drink.'
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai's ability to roll with punches, figuratively and literally, was being tested. One moment he was furrowing his brow, slightly distracted and torn. The next Ellis had pounced on him and pinned him, not even giving him time to panic about that before slamming his head up and driving her fangs into his neck.
She'd never fed like this. His body went rigid with shock and then limp. He couldn't have fought her if he'd wanted to. Ellis was sucking him dry. Literally. If she expected him to be of any use at all tonight, she was going to have to stop and stop soon.
But she didn't.
He tried to focus on the room around them but it was spinning crazily. Ellis was looking down at him, fangs shimmering, tinted red with his blood. Tai squinted up at her as his chest struggled to continue rising and falling. This was worse than being tied down, worse than being shackled, his own body was inhibiting his movements. That had been the one thing he could always believe in; his own ability to move and control himself. Even that was gone now... and he was too weak to care.
Ellis' words came to him as if from far away. A gift... she was giving him... a gift? His dying mind reached for comprehension and found it as she held her bleeding wrist to his mouth. A gift... her strength, her speed, her immortality. He drank.
His lover, his killer, his creator. Everything, to make her proud. To make himself worthy.
Even killing Yuu?
He was still torn. Somewhere deep down there was a part of him that, while no saint, had briefly snatched at a chance to save a life rather than take it.
He buried it before it had a chance to grow. He drank even deeper. He'd make her proud. Lover, killer, creator...
Tai died, and then he waited to be reborn.
She'd never fed like this. His body went rigid with shock and then limp. He couldn't have fought her if he'd wanted to. Ellis was sucking him dry. Literally. If she expected him to be of any use at all tonight, she was going to have to stop and stop soon.
But she didn't.
He tried to focus on the room around them but it was spinning crazily. Ellis was looking down at him, fangs shimmering, tinted red with his blood. Tai squinted up at her as his chest struggled to continue rising and falling. This was worse than being tied down, worse than being shackled, his own body was inhibiting his movements. That had been the one thing he could always believe in; his own ability to move and control himself. Even that was gone now... and he was too weak to care.
Ellis' words came to him as if from far away. A gift... she was giving him... a gift? His dying mind reached for comprehension and found it as she held her bleeding wrist to his mouth. A gift... her strength, her speed, her immortality. He drank.
His lover, his killer, his creator. Everything, to make her proud. To make himself worthy.
Even killing Yuu?
He was still torn. Somewhere deep down there was a part of him that, while no saint, had briefly snatched at a chance to save a life rather than take it.
He buried it before it had a chance to grow. He drank even deeper. He'd make her proud. Lover, killer, creator...
Tai died, and then he waited to be reborn.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis pushed herself off the bed and went to the bathroom to clean up. Tai would be incapacitated for several hours at the very least. Turning took time - it was a process. Stepping up the bathroom mirror, Ellis took a face towel and cleaned the rest of the blood off her face. Running her hands thru her hair, she looked at herself in the mirror.
She reflected over what she had just done. The last time she had turned anyone was the first and only time - over 1400 years ago. The town constable had come to warn her of the villagers gathering arms to storm her mansion behind the big hill in their town. So long ago.
Ellis had been passing through, but decided to stay a short while. The towns people back then were your typical suspicious variety. Pitch fork carrying, believed in superstition and most importantly - believed in vampires. Ellis had gotten careless, picking off too many of the villagers, but that was her way. She learned to be more pragmatic in the future, but she was only 300 or so back then. Still very young by vampire standards. The town constantable had introduced himself when she first entered the town and took over the abandoned mansion. The villagers were curious about the woman fixing up the old building. So, the constable walked up the dirt path to her home.
He was in his late thirties, rugged and handsome. He had cleaned up to see her and his tunic was clean and shiny - all things considered. Ellis had seen him during her hunting at night. The town good guy, settling domestic disputes and drunken brawls. She had begun to watch him as he began to watch her. Then the visits started.
It was no time before he would come into the mansion, grab her, and then carry her upstairs to her bedroom. Eventually they never got as far as the first landing. Ellis had grown up hardened and aware of what her sexual charms could give her and she had had many men by then, but this one...he was different. He worshipped her, absolutely loved her from the moment he set eyes on her. Ellis had wondered...hoped maybe, that he saw something past her body. He made her laugh, but more importantly, she made him laugh. He listened. Some nights they would cuddle in bed, talking about the town, how he had grown up and in return she talked about her family. They spent many months together like that. Just loving.
Till the one night he came to warn her to leave.
He didn't have to do that, with his position in the town. He was condemning himself coming to her and she knew it. So Ellis Duban offered the one man she could've really, honestly loved as a woman a gift.
That man was Simon Huntington.
Ellis looked at herself in the mirror and wasn't sure if any of that woman was left. So long ago. Power did something to you. It corrupted as well as maligned the soul and her's was black. But a long time ago she loved and it was glorious. She wasn't sure when it stopped, but she was positive it was once there.
But there was no going back to that now. Not ever. Not when Simon had finally found what he was looking for. Ellis walked out and looked at Tai dying on her bed. No, that woman had died long ago. She had Tai at her side now, another child being reborn as she stood there. Her life itself had been reborn in that raid fire, and what became of what was left of that young part of Ellis before the raid, was gone.
She reflected over what she had just done. The last time she had turned anyone was the first and only time - over 1400 years ago. The town constable had come to warn her of the villagers gathering arms to storm her mansion behind the big hill in their town. So long ago.
Ellis had been passing through, but decided to stay a short while. The towns people back then were your typical suspicious variety. Pitch fork carrying, believed in superstition and most importantly - believed in vampires. Ellis had gotten careless, picking off too many of the villagers, but that was her way. She learned to be more pragmatic in the future, but she was only 300 or so back then. Still very young by vampire standards. The town constantable had introduced himself when she first entered the town and took over the abandoned mansion. The villagers were curious about the woman fixing up the old building. So, the constable walked up the dirt path to her home.
He was in his late thirties, rugged and handsome. He had cleaned up to see her and his tunic was clean and shiny - all things considered. Ellis had seen him during her hunting at night. The town good guy, settling domestic disputes and drunken brawls. She had begun to watch him as he began to watch her. Then the visits started.
It was no time before he would come into the mansion, grab her, and then carry her upstairs to her bedroom. Eventually they never got as far as the first landing. Ellis had grown up hardened and aware of what her sexual charms could give her and she had had many men by then, but this one...he was different. He worshipped her, absolutely loved her from the moment he set eyes on her. Ellis had wondered...hoped maybe, that he saw something past her body. He made her laugh, but more importantly, she made him laugh. He listened. Some nights they would cuddle in bed, talking about the town, how he had grown up and in return she talked about her family. They spent many months together like that. Just loving.
Till the one night he came to warn her to leave.
He didn't have to do that, with his position in the town. He was condemning himself coming to her and she knew it. So Ellis Duban offered the one man she could've really, honestly loved as a woman a gift.
That man was Simon Huntington.
Ellis looked at herself in the mirror and wasn't sure if any of that woman was left. So long ago. Power did something to you. It corrupted as well as maligned the soul and her's was black. But a long time ago she loved and it was glorious. She wasn't sure when it stopped, but she was positive it was once there.
But there was no going back to that now. Not ever. Not when Simon had finally found what he was looking for. Ellis walked out and looked at Tai dying on her bed. No, that woman had died long ago. She had Tai at her side now, another child being reborn as she stood there. Her life itself had been reborn in that raid fire, and what became of what was left of that young part of Ellis before the raid, was gone.
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
The next few hours were a blur for Tai. He was aware of being in incredible discomfort. A slow burn seemed to pervade each vein. He had no idea whether Ellis was in the room or out of it. He heard her voice now and then, but it could have simply been his imagination.
He remained focused, as much as he could, on the last thing he knew she'd said. This gift, her gift to him. Ellis' words were the litany that echoed through his mind, but along with that were images that seemed to have been etched permanently. An elevator ride in attractive company; the Mayor's ball; Yuu clinging to him. They interchanged themselves with Ellis' face, Ellis' hands, Ellis' husky voice. Ellis was everywhere, encouraging, integrating herself with him as intimately as possible and yet still distant.
Ellis was not sane, but Tai was beginning to wonder if he was either.
24 hours later found him curled on his side, wrapped up around himself, an ache in his mouth, subsiding pain throbbing in his veins, but awake and definitely not dead in the traditional sense. Aware that this was the first time since the previous night that he'd been truly aware of his surroundings, Tai sat up slowly. He felt... all right. He wasn't sure if he'd expected anything to be different.
He looked at his hands as if they belonged to someone else, flexed them experimentally. He touched his teeth with one finger... pointy canines pricked the flesh. Looking at it, he watched the tiny puncture close up.
Tai smiled slowly and looked around for Ellis. Seeing nothing, he stood and tested his legs. Everything appeared functional. He made his way back out through the office, up to the outside. It was 2 am... still dark. Everything seemed empty, not a soul in sight.
That was too bad, because Tai realized he was starving. He may not know a whole lot about Ellis, or even about vampires in general, but he knew for a certainty what he'd become, and what it would take to sustain himself. And to prove himself worthy for Ellis, he had better learn to do that in short order.
He remained focused, as much as he could, on the last thing he knew she'd said. This gift, her gift to him. Ellis' words were the litany that echoed through his mind, but along with that were images that seemed to have been etched permanently. An elevator ride in attractive company; the Mayor's ball; Yuu clinging to him. They interchanged themselves with Ellis' face, Ellis' hands, Ellis' husky voice. Ellis was everywhere, encouraging, integrating herself with him as intimately as possible and yet still distant.
Ellis was not sane, but Tai was beginning to wonder if he was either.
24 hours later found him curled on his side, wrapped up around himself, an ache in his mouth, subsiding pain throbbing in his veins, but awake and definitely not dead in the traditional sense. Aware that this was the first time since the previous night that he'd been truly aware of his surroundings, Tai sat up slowly. He felt... all right. He wasn't sure if he'd expected anything to be different.
He looked at his hands as if they belonged to someone else, flexed them experimentally. He touched his teeth with one finger... pointy canines pricked the flesh. Looking at it, he watched the tiny puncture close up.
Tai smiled slowly and looked around for Ellis. Seeing nothing, he stood and tested his legs. Everything appeared functional. He made his way back out through the office, up to the outside. It was 2 am... still dark. Everything seemed empty, not a soul in sight.
That was too bad, because Tai realized he was starving. He may not know a whole lot about Ellis, or even about vampires in general, but he knew for a certainty what he'd become, and what it would take to sustain himself. And to prove himself worthy for Ellis, he had better learn to do that in short order.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis was waiting outside for Tai, but made no move to get his attention. She wanted to watch him interact with the night with his new perspective. She smiled. This was going to be fun.
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai looked around. He was standing behind the opera house, at the entrance to the old bomb shelter Ellis (and he, by association) had been calling home. Nothing looked any different, but somehow it all seemed... sharper. Not even superhuman. Just... more detailed. He tilted his head to one side, then the other, listening. He couldn't hear much; the area was very quiet.
He didn't move, didn't make a sound. He just took stock and got his bearings. Of one thing he was certain; he was going to need food soon. The urge to drink was overwhelming. Was it because he was newly-turned? Or was this normal, the way Ellis always felt?
Tai wasn't sure where Ellis had gone. She could be nearby, or she could have taken off until dawn. He was on his own for the moment, and the wise thing to do would be to sate this hunger now. Within the next few hours the sun would be up and if his ass wasn't back in the shelter, it was, literally, toast.
There were several buildings nearby; he was at the back of the row. Most of them would be empty at this time, save perhaps some janitorial staff. With typical adaptability he decided he didn't much care where his first meal came from as long as it came soon.
Casting a glance around and making sure the entrance to the shelter was sealed up tight, Tai headed out into the night to find his first lucky victim.
((ooc: Tai out temporarily))
He didn't move, didn't make a sound. He just took stock and got his bearings. Of one thing he was certain; he was going to need food soon. The urge to drink was overwhelming. Was it because he was newly-turned? Or was this normal, the way Ellis always felt?
Tai wasn't sure where Ellis had gone. She could be nearby, or she could have taken off until dawn. He was on his own for the moment, and the wise thing to do would be to sate this hunger now. Within the next few hours the sun would be up and if his ass wasn't back in the shelter, it was, literally, toast.
There were several buildings nearby; he was at the back of the row. Most of them would be empty at this time, save perhaps some janitorial staff. With typical adaptability he decided he didn't much care where his first meal came from as long as it came soon.
Casting a glance around and making sure the entrance to the shelter was sealed up tight, Tai headed out into the night to find his first lucky victim.
((ooc: Tai out temporarily))
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
As she sat perched on top of a neighboring building several stories up, Ellis was suddenly reminded of something and it gave her great pause. Ellis watched Tai wander off in search of food and she remembered the last time she felt that kind of wonderous glee. Having only ever turned 1 person before Tai, it wasn't a feeling common to her. The glee turned to a dull ache as she remembered.
He was standing there with her at the shipyard. His eyes were so pained and brimming with tears. Simon had forsaken everything to help her...to protect her. The villagers were literally kicking down her door with torches in hand, meaning to kill her but Simon - their constable, he came for her and took her away and ultimately himself away from everything he had ever known. His town, his reputation...his only son.
For her.
How she loved that man at that moment. To see him broken but with her, giving everything he had and more to her - for her.
Regret welled up in Ellis stomach as she recalled that moment. She offered him the same gift - her gift. A vow to be together, to never resent anything or each other. Funny how time twisted their love or was that it twisted her? It had been a long time since she thought about that woman, so long ago. Now reminded twice in one night. It was making her do irrational things...turning another just to have him betray her as well. A niggle of regret nibbled at her brain, but she pushed it away angrily. Utilizing the only thing she had left in her, she gathered her hate about her.
Standing she returned to the shelter to wait Tai out.
He was standing there with her at the shipyard. His eyes were so pained and brimming with tears. Simon had forsaken everything to help her...to protect her. The villagers were literally kicking down her door with torches in hand, meaning to kill her but Simon - their constable, he came for her and took her away and ultimately himself away from everything he had ever known. His town, his reputation...his only son.
For her.
How she loved that man at that moment. To see him broken but with her, giving everything he had and more to her - for her.
Regret welled up in Ellis stomach as she recalled that moment. She offered him the same gift - her gift. A vow to be together, to never resent anything or each other. Funny how time twisted their love or was that it twisted her? It had been a long time since she thought about that woman, so long ago. Now reminded twice in one night. It was making her do irrational things...turning another just to have him betray her as well. A niggle of regret nibbled at her brain, but she pushed it away angrily. Utilizing the only thing she had left in her, she gathered her hate about her.
Standing she returned to the shelter to wait Tai out.
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai made it back to the shelter quickly enough. He didn't know if he was moving faster in general, or if he just felt like it. Something had changed, obviously, and he was still acclimatizing himself to the way things would work.
As he reached down to open hte door to the shelter his sleeve pulled back a bit, revealing his tattooed wrist. Funny, he hadn't noticed before that his tattoos had remained with him. That could prove interesting. He suddenly didn't fear the Yakuza as much. Oh, his clan might yet try to track him down, particularly if he were to show up in Japan... but now he thought he might be able to deal with them. He wondered how being fully tattooed would affect him a hundred years down the line?
Would he even exist that long?
Tai couldn't grasp the concept of such unending life. He hadn't been about to turn away such a gift and he certainly didn't regret it, but he couldn't help some curiosity nonetheless. That was what occupied his mind as he entered back into the shelter.
As he reached down to open hte door to the shelter his sleeve pulled back a bit, revealing his tattooed wrist. Funny, he hadn't noticed before that his tattoos had remained with him. That could prove interesting. He suddenly didn't fear the Yakuza as much. Oh, his clan might yet try to track him down, particularly if he were to show up in Japan... but now he thought he might be able to deal with them. He wondered how being fully tattooed would affect him a hundred years down the line?
Would he even exist that long?
Tai couldn't grasp the concept of such unending life. He hadn't been about to turn away such a gift and he certainly didn't regret it, but he couldn't help some curiosity nonetheless. That was what occupied his mind as he entered back into the shelter.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Ellis was laying on her side on the bed with her left arm behind her back. She was leaning on her right elbow as Tai walked back to the bedroom. The look on his face was evident, plus he had some of his color back.
'Tai - always deep in thought.' Her lips betrayed a hint of a smile, but she was in no mood for coddling, fucking or really dealing with him, but turning is a process. She hadn't forgotten that. Although seeing Tai newly turned was nothing like seeing Simon recovering from his first attempt to feed.
She remembered Simon being disgusted with a mark. 'She's loud,' he had said. Ellis laughed at the time, but if that were to happen now, she would've ripped his throat out herself.
'Feeling better?'
'Tai - always deep in thought.' Her lips betrayed a hint of a smile, but she was in no mood for coddling, fucking or really dealing with him, but turning is a process. She hadn't forgotten that. Although seeing Tai newly turned was nothing like seeing Simon recovering from his first attempt to feed.
She remembered Simon being disgusted with a mark. 'She's loud,' he had said. Ellis laughed at the time, but if that were to happen now, she would've ripped his throat out herself.
'Feeling better?'
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
There was Ellis, reclining like a cat on the bed. Her claws were sheathed now, Tai noted, but they could come out at any time. She was different somehow. Perhaps because he saw her through a vampire's eyes and not a familiar's. Whatever the reason, he could see the claws retracted, whereas before he had been somewhat blind. He didn't mind them, however. It was part of her... appeal.
He cocked her a half-smile when she accused him of being deep in thought. "Perhaps, but it keeps me out of trouble."
He sat on the couch across the room, stretching one arm out along the back, crossing his muscular legs at the ankles.
"I am," he said with a nod. "Your concern is touching. If I didn't know any better, I would think you had feelings for me."
The words weren't heavy with sarcasm, but it was still there. Tai held no illusions that Ellis cared for him. They had lived off of each other before, and although now she filled that triple role in his mind: lover, killer, creator, he wasn't stupid.
He would serve her now as he had before, in every respect. Tai was more than wiling to do as she willed. He owed her, and he felt the urge to prove himself to her. But never once would he fool himself into thinking she cared.
He cocked her a half-smile when she accused him of being deep in thought. "Perhaps, but it keeps me out of trouble."
He sat on the couch across the room, stretching one arm out along the back, crossing his muscular legs at the ankles.
"I am," he said with a nod. "Your concern is touching. If I didn't know any better, I would think you had feelings for me."
The words weren't heavy with sarcasm, but it was still there. Tai held no illusions that Ellis cared for him. They had lived off of each other before, and although now she filled that triple role in his mind: lover, killer, creator, he wasn't stupid.
He would serve her now as he had before, in every respect. Tai was more than wiling to do as she willed. He owed her, and he felt the urge to prove himself to her. But never once would he fool himself into thinking she cared.
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
'Oh ho ho,' Ellis chuckled. Leaning her head back, her body shook with laughter. 'My god, give you a pair of fangs and look at how lippy you get!' She shook her head and looked back at her asian man.
'I'm suppose to clue you in about club rules now. I think. Your my second turn and unfortunately my first one didn't turn out very well.' She shrugged. 'But you're right, I don't really care.' This probably wasn't winning her any points towards loyalty, but looking at Tai now, fangs and all, just reinforced how much control she had lost in the past year. Ellis was an ancient, if only barely, but that still made any child of her's now, a helluva lot more powerful than a watered down version. Those were the type she bled out on her machine, however Tai - she could make 100 more and make a killing in the Eternity market.
Hmm, something to consider, she decided.
'In any case, you've fed, you've noticed the changes...blah blah blah. Now we have things to do. People to see. Lives to destroy, but first thing's first.'
In 1/2700th of a second, Ellis raised the hand behind her back and aimed the .38 at Tai's center of mass and peeled off three bullets. Smiling, she waited.
'I'm suppose to clue you in about club rules now. I think. Your my second turn and unfortunately my first one didn't turn out very well.' She shrugged. 'But you're right, I don't really care.' This probably wasn't winning her any points towards loyalty, but looking at Tai now, fangs and all, just reinforced how much control she had lost in the past year. Ellis was an ancient, if only barely, but that still made any child of her's now, a helluva lot more powerful than a watered down version. Those were the type she bled out on her machine, however Tai - she could make 100 more and make a killing in the Eternity market.
Hmm, something to consider, she decided.
'In any case, you've fed, you've noticed the changes...blah blah blah. Now we have things to do. People to see. Lives to destroy, but first thing's first.'
In 1/2700th of a second, Ellis raised the hand behind her back and aimed the .38 at Tai's center of mass and peeled off three bullets. Smiling, she waited.
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Ellis was in quite the mood, Tai decided. He was slightly surprised to hear she'd only ever turned one person before him. He'd assumed she'd turned plenty. He might have questioned her if she hadn't been so irritable. It wasn't her bluntness that tipped him off so much as the gun and the three bullets that issued forth, heading straight at his chest.
Tai had never reacted so quickly in his life. He fell to the side, already leaning that way as his arm was stretched out along the back of the couch. He could feel the change in the air as two bullets passed harmlessly between his arm and his side, passing through the couch and thudding against the concrete of the wall behind it. The third caught his right arm as it trailed after his falling body. He felt the impact but didn't register it immediately.
He was already rolling to his feet, launching himself toward the bed and the smug, reclining figure of Ellis. Tai pulled up short, however... not because of the barrel still pointed his way, but because this was Ellis. He fairly crackled with energy, every muscle poised. The sleeve of his shirt grew warm and wet as he bled, but it was already slowing.
Tai made a low noise, something between a snort and a growl. "Are we having fun yet?"
Regaining his composure he crouched at the bottom of the bed, waiting to see if she'd fire again, but curious all the same. He peeled back his shirt sleeve, revealing skin brilliantly colored in carefully-inked phoenix feathers and dragon scales, and marvelled as the wound closed itself and his tattooed flesh healed back as freshly-colored as if he'd just been marked.
"What do I do for an encore?"
Tai had never reacted so quickly in his life. He fell to the side, already leaning that way as his arm was stretched out along the back of the couch. He could feel the change in the air as two bullets passed harmlessly between his arm and his side, passing through the couch and thudding against the concrete of the wall behind it. The third caught his right arm as it trailed after his falling body. He felt the impact but didn't register it immediately.
He was already rolling to his feet, launching himself toward the bed and the smug, reclining figure of Ellis. Tai pulled up short, however... not because of the barrel still pointed his way, but because this was Ellis. He fairly crackled with energy, every muscle poised. The sleeve of his shirt grew warm and wet as he bled, but it was already slowing.
Tai made a low noise, something between a snort and a growl. "Are we having fun yet?"
Regaining his composure he crouched at the bottom of the bed, waiting to see if she'd fire again, but curious all the same. He peeled back his shirt sleeve, revealing skin brilliantly colored in carefully-inked phoenix feathers and dragon scales, and marvelled as the wound closed itself and his tattooed flesh healed back as freshly-colored as if he'd just been marked.
"What do I do for an encore?"
Ellis Duban
18 years ago
Smart boy.
Ellis watched Tai react to the bullets but still caught the last one. 'Good reflexes, they'll get better. A weaker vampire might not have been able to do that.' She sat up in the bed and tossed the gun aside. With a sigh she looked at Tai as he stood there, filled with new confidence and abilities. In the grand scheme of things, he probably wasn't the best choice, but he'd have to do. She was just glad she didn't have to kill him for reacting improperly to the bullets. For a second there he looked as if he might have attacked her, but just for a second.
'An encore? For an encore you can rub my feet!' Ellis stuck a foot up into the air towards Tai and smiled.
((OOC out))
Ellis watched Tai react to the bullets but still caught the last one. 'Good reflexes, they'll get better. A weaker vampire might not have been able to do that.' She sat up in the bed and tossed the gun aside. With a sigh she looked at Tai as he stood there, filled with new confidence and abilities. In the grand scheme of things, he probably wasn't the best choice, but he'd have to do. She was just glad she didn't have to kill him for reacting improperly to the bullets. For a second there he looked as if he might have attacked her, but just for a second.
'An encore? For an encore you can rub my feet!' Ellis stuck a foot up into the air towards Tai and smiled.
((OOC out))
Ichiro Taiji
18 years ago
Tai raised both eyebrows at Ellis... or rather, at Ellis' foot. He hopped down from where he was crouched at the bottom of the bed and smiled softly.
"You did give me a wonderful gift," he pointed out, "but you still had to sacrifice some control, didn't you?"
Maybe if he were her familiar still, he'd have complied. Now though...
"And that means you might actually have to trust me."
Tai turned, and, whistling softly, went out to the lab to find something with which to dig the stray bullet out of his arm.
((ooc: out))
"You did give me a wonderful gift," he pointed out, "but you still had to sacrifice some control, didn't you?"
Maybe if he were her familiar still, he'd have complied. Now though...
"And that means you might actually have to trust me."
Tai turned, and, whistling softly, went out to the lab to find something with which to dig the stray bullet out of his arm.
((ooc: out))