Xeph had become obsessed with one idea, and that was gaining his freedom. The sinister, sly voice of the jackal was in his head day and night without cease, and it was driving him to distraction. It seemed only right to prepare for the occasion when they would meet again. The vampire had said they would, and so Xeph was prepared.
The clinic was closed for the night and he wasn't expecting any clients anyhow, so he'd left the door open when he entered. He wasn't going to be long, but he was going to be prepared.
Ransacking his drug box was easy although he'd had to liberate almost all of his sedative supply. No matter; they were due to re-order in a day or two. He had no idea how much it would take to finalize a vampire; he just knew they were sickeningly resilient. So he filled up a syringe with a cocktail of diazepam and ketaset, not particularly worried about the side effects or the dosages. He didn't intend to have to give it more than once. The syringe was enormous, 20 mls, and would have knocked out several horses.
Xeph figured this didn't count as doing no harm, since technically, the bastard was already dead. He was just planning to administer some humane euthanasia and help keep him that way.
When the bell on the door rang, Xeph quickly capped the syringe with a healthy-sized 18 gauge needle and slipped it into the pocket of his jeans. He emerged from the back and stopped short as the object of his nightmares walked coolly into his clinic.
In an instant, his ire up, Xeph was on top of the smaller man, his hand at his throat, growling in his face as he drove him up against the wall between the two front windows, lifting him off his feet.
Still, the compulsion on him was too great and he couldn't manage to crack the man's neck. Frustrated, he spat, "What are you doing here?"
His own impotence filled him with fury. How had the man compelled him so thouroughly? He wanted to squeeze and squeeze until there was nothing left but dust, and still he couldn't.
Your Hypocritical Oath, Part I: Ethics. (private)
Amir made his way through the late-night lurkers along the streets of Nachton, winding his way in and out of alleys as he traveled the relatively short distance between the arcade and the oddly-located clinic of Aidan Xephier. His mind worked in overtime as he considered the appearance of a face that had haunted him, in some respect, through the centuries.
There was no way to mistake that man. No way anyone could possibly have that strange combination of tanned skin and colorless eyes and hair. That was Kiamhaat, his Kiamhaat, he thought with a grimace. He hadn't known what had happened to him, so why should it really surprise him that his little lost lamb should show up here, in Nachton of all places, and with the Evenhet? Amir would lay odds that Kiamhaat belonged to that Clan. He knew Pakpao's affiliation, and the three of them had seemed on very good terms. From what he knew of the Egyptian they would suit him well.
He would have a very hard time getting him out of there, if he could at all. Amir regretted it, but it looked like it might be time to confront his past and finalize it. Still though - the man had good blood, old blood, in him. Something there must speak to him still. It would be a shame to have to end him.
Amir sighed as he rounded a corner. They couldn't all be perfect. Kiamhaat was a disaster, a product of troubled times and foolish, reckless, impulsive youth. Amir shook his head and pushed open the door of Xephier's clinic, ringing an annoyingly cheerful bell as he did.
Lost in thought as he was, it should have occurred to him that the door shouldn't be open at that hour. But it didn't, and he found himself caught off guard.
Xeph
14 years ago
Amir
14 years ago
Amir found himself rocketed off his feet and hammered up against the wall, Xephier's furious face only an inch from his. Fortunately, Amir's command held firm and Xephier seemed unable to complete his action. Amir didn't mind being knocked around some; it kept him on his toes, but among his various commands had been a few subtle reminders for Xephier to curb his compulsive violence.
Of course, getting grabby was just downright rude. Amir lifted his hand and jabbed Xephier in one of his mismatched eyes, then twisted his hips, curled up his knees, and drove both heels into the wolf's solar plexus. To Xephier's credit, his grip loosened but didn't let up. Amir grabbed Xephier's hands and placed his fingers almost delicately on them, giving a squeeze that was anything but, at the joint of his thumbs and palms.
Now the were did let go, growling and falling away.
"Nice to see you too," Amir said somewhat hoarsely, rubbing his throat. He casually walked over to the reception desk and hopped onto it, sitting down and swinging his legs.
"I think we've got a change of plans. I have a new friend I need you to find some information out about."
And then kill. Probably.
Of course, getting grabby was just downright rude. Amir lifted his hand and jabbed Xephier in one of his mismatched eyes, then twisted his hips, curled up his knees, and drove both heels into the wolf's solar plexus. To Xephier's credit, his grip loosened but didn't let up. Amir grabbed Xephier's hands and placed his fingers almost delicately on them, giving a squeeze that was anything but, at the joint of his thumbs and palms.
Now the were did let go, growling and falling away.
"Nice to see you too," Amir said somewhat hoarsely, rubbing his throat. He casually walked over to the reception desk and hopped onto it, sitting down and swinging his legs.
"I think we've got a change of plans. I have a new friend I need you to find some information out about."
And then kill. Probably.
Xeph
14 years ago
I hate this... was Xeph's primary thought as the ridiculously quick vampire landed a series of blows on his body, ending in a deceptively gentle touch and a burst of pain through his hands. Murder foremost on his mind, he found himself unable to act upon it as he watched the deceptively young man hop onto his front desk.
"I'm not going to help you," he stated flatly. He hated himself even as he said so, for he knew all the vampire had to do was get into his head again and Xeph wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
"I'm not finding anything out about anyone. What do you think I am, your personal private eye? Get lost."
It wasn't what he really wanted to say or do. In his mind he jumped on the vampire, pummeled him into a bloody pulp, transformed into a wolf and clawed him to shreds, burned the remains... in his mind. Real Xeph just stood there like a big dumb puppet.
Mind over matter, he thought to himself. He had to be able to break this compulsion. Just long enough for one good shot and then it would be over.
"I'm not going to help you," he stated flatly. He hated himself even as he said so, for he knew all the vampire had to do was get into his head again and Xeph wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
"I'm not finding anything out about anyone. What do you think I am, your personal private eye? Get lost."
It wasn't what he really wanted to say or do. In his mind he jumped on the vampire, pummeled him into a bloody pulp, transformed into a wolf and clawed him to shreds, burned the remains... in his mind. Real Xeph just stood there like a big dumb puppet.
Mind over matter, he thought to himself. He had to be able to break this compulsion. Just long enough for one good shot and then it would be over.
Amir
14 years ago
It was pretty easy to read Xephier's face. Amir grinned at him. "I don't go down so easy," he said, guessing the train of the man's thoughts. "Your dear old dad put up a pretty good fight too, but you saw how much good it did him in the end."
He changed the subject then, back to the matter at hand. "I just met an interesting fellow named Kem. You'd know him if you saw him. Tall, white hair, white eyes, dark skin. I need information on him and I want you to get it. You will get it. I have faith in you."
There was no small amount of Command in his words. Amir had other ways of getting information about Kiamhaat, but all of those avenues were also available to Subira and a handful of other Ancients, and Amir wasn't eager for this to slip out and become common knowledge in his circle of acquaintances. besides, it would do Xeph some good to have a task to occupy himself with.
He changed the subject then, back to the matter at hand. "I just met an interesting fellow named Kem. You'd know him if you saw him. Tall, white hair, white eyes, dark skin. I need information on him and I want you to get it. You will get it. I have faith in you."
There was no small amount of Command in his words. Amir had other ways of getting information about Kiamhaat, but all of those avenues were also available to Subira and a handful of other Ancients, and Amir wasn't eager for this to slip out and become common knowledge in his circle of acquaintances. besides, it would do Xeph some good to have a task to occupy himself with.
Xeph
14 years ago
The vampire's voice echoed through his head. You will get it. He opened his mouth without even realizing it.
"Yeah I know the guy. How soon do you need it?"
Immediately he felt himself redden with rage. What the hell? How was this happening to him? It was unbelieveable!
And even as he said it, a little part of him wondered what Reign's neighbor had done to pique the interest of this vampire. He'd met Kem; Nikhila had met Kem. He was a nice guy. Associating with this jackal couldn't bode well for him. He didn't ask questions though. He didn't want to know. He wasn't going to do it anyway. He'd just let this asshole think he would. All Xeph had to do was get closer.
"If I get you what you want, you'll leave now?" He growled the words out, moving toward the door.
"Yeah I know the guy. How soon do you need it?"
Immediately he felt himself redden with rage. What the hell? How was this happening to him? It was unbelieveable!
And even as he said it, a little part of him wondered what Reign's neighbor had done to pique the interest of this vampire. He'd met Kem; Nikhila had met Kem. He was a nice guy. Associating with this jackal couldn't bode well for him. He didn't ask questions though. He didn't want to know. He wasn't going to do it anyway. He'd just let this asshole think he would. All Xeph had to do was get closer.
"If I get you what you want, you'll leave now?" He growled the words out, moving toward the door.
Amir
14 years ago
Well, maybe Xephier didn't have the same resistance in him that Liam did. Liam had fought tooth and nail at the beginning. It had been difficult but not impossible. Then again, Amir hadn't asked him to do anything really horrible, not yet.
He shrugged and heaved himself off the desk, landing lightly on his toes. "Yeah sure. We're done for the night. You get me what I need within the next few days, and I'll be back by mid-week to check in on you."
He met Xephier near the doorway, turned, and patted him on the cheek. "Don't fuck up, okay? I wouldn't want to have to ensure your compliance through other means." He gave the infuriated wolf a big smile. "Your girlfriend, maybe... she seems nice."
He shrugged and heaved himself off the desk, landing lightly on his toes. "Yeah sure. We're done for the night. You get me what I need within the next few days, and I'll be back by mid-week to check in on you."
He met Xephier near the doorway, turned, and patted him on the cheek. "Don't fuck up, okay? I wouldn't want to have to ensure your compliance through other means." He gave the infuriated wolf a big smile. "Your girlfriend, maybe... she seems nice."
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph growled again when the smaller man mentioned Nikhila. Not by name; he should have known that the man might have been bluffing. He couldn't know about Nikhila... right? How much did he know? Was he being paranoid?
No - he didn't trust this man at all. And he had to assume he could follow through on that threat. Well, Xeph could follow through too. He tried not to think about his next movement, the one he'd been saving up all of his fight for since he saw this man's face.
Making as if to open the door, Xeph used his other hand to palm the cap off the syringe in his pocket. He had one chance, and that was all. Pushing lightly on the door he waited until the vampire's eyes flickered away... it was brief, so brief. How could he be so damn diligent? But the tiny opening was there.
Xeph, opening the door with his right hand, using his more dextrous left, swiftly raised it and jabbed the syringe into the vampire's exposed neck. he didn't bother to see if he'd hit the jugular; he had no time. The fluid drained from the syringe very quickly, but there was hardly more than a split second to press the plunger before the vampire was on him and the syringe was flying away across the room...
No - he didn't trust this man at all. And he had to assume he could follow through on that threat. Well, Xeph could follow through too. He tried not to think about his next movement, the one he'd been saving up all of his fight for since he saw this man's face.
Making as if to open the door, Xeph used his other hand to palm the cap off the syringe in his pocket. He had one chance, and that was all. Pushing lightly on the door he waited until the vampire's eyes flickered away... it was brief, so brief. How could he be so damn diligent? But the tiny opening was there.
Xeph, opening the door with his right hand, using his more dextrous left, swiftly raised it and jabbed the syringe into the vampire's exposed neck. he didn't bother to see if he'd hit the jugular; he had no time. The fluid drained from the syringe very quickly, but there was hardly more than a split second to press the plunger before the vampire was on him and the syringe was flying away across the room...
Amir
14 years ago
Amir was surprised when Xephier's hand, just behind him, moved. He'd thought the wolf compelled enough. He had dropped his guard for a brief moment though, and was almost delighted to find Xephier not as complacent as he had expected. He enjoyed a challenge.
The pleasure was quickly tempered by a burning sensation in his nack. Amir whipped around and saw the syringe fly away. He sprang forward, sweeping Xephier's legs out from beneath him and slamming the bigger man to the floor.
"When I give you an order," he began, "you don't fight back. That could be dangerous. To you and to your family."
He was about to drill the point home when his vision blurred and Xephier's face split apart grotesquely for a moment before fusing itself back together again. Amir shook his head and glanced across the room toward where the syringe had fallen.
Maybe it was time to go. Who knew what Xephier had injected him with. Chances were it was nothing to worry about, for he couldn't possibly have gotten enough of it into Amir's system to do any harm, but still - not wise to hang around the man without being on his game.
He rose a little, his knee against Xephier's windpipe, and to his horror, wobbled as he got upright.
Xephier smiled.
Amir lunged, trying to drive his knee into Kephier's throat, but he was off-balance. Xephier reached up and threw him easily. His equilibrium off, Amir crashed into the chairs against the opposite wall, his head reeling. Feeling unaccustomedly awkward he tried to extricate himself as Xephier stood and crossed the room to his fallen syringe.
The pleasure was quickly tempered by a burning sensation in his nack. Amir whipped around and saw the syringe fly away. He sprang forward, sweeping Xephier's legs out from beneath him and slamming the bigger man to the floor.
"When I give you an order," he began, "you don't fight back. That could be dangerous. To you and to your family."
He was about to drill the point home when his vision blurred and Xephier's face split apart grotesquely for a moment before fusing itself back together again. Amir shook his head and glanced across the room toward where the syringe had fallen.
Maybe it was time to go. Who knew what Xephier had injected him with. Chances were it was nothing to worry about, for he couldn't possibly have gotten enough of it into Amir's system to do any harm, but still - not wise to hang around the man without being on his game.
He rose a little, his knee against Xephier's windpipe, and to his horror, wobbled as he got upright.
Xephier smiled.
Amir lunged, trying to drive his knee into Kephier's throat, but he was off-balance. Xephier reached up and threw him easily. His equilibrium off, Amir crashed into the chairs against the opposite wall, his head reeling. Feeling unaccustomedly awkward he tried to extricate himself as Xephier stood and crossed the room to his fallen syringe.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph felt his head crack against the floor, but he didn't have to worry much past that. The drugs in the syringe acted inside of a minute when given intravenously and apparently vampires were not immune. Resistant little fucker, though. The amount in the syringe should have laid him out, even without giving it all.
He could feel the vampire's balance off and didn't struggle even as he pressed on Xeph's throat. As the balance shifted, Xeph heaved the man up and over, the rocked to his feet and retrieved his syringe. He tweaked the needle as he approached the floundering vampire, noting for future reference that he really hadn't gotten much in. Three mls or so... he didn't think he had but a minute or two of advantage, but fortunately he had the home field advantage here, and he wouldn't need that long.
It was his turn to bend close. "Don't ever threaten my family again," he snarled. "I don't think that will be a problem, though."
Using his far greater weight on the vampire, Xeph deftly finished what he'd begun, jabbing the syringe into the man's arm this time, one foot on his hand to keep him still. it would be interesting to see how this much sedative effected a vampire. And what happened when they died of it.
Sadly, Xeph didn't get to study his handiwork.
He could feel the vampire's balance off and didn't struggle even as he pressed on Xeph's throat. As the balance shifted, Xeph heaved the man up and over, the rocked to his feet and retrieved his syringe. He tweaked the needle as he approached the floundering vampire, noting for future reference that he really hadn't gotten much in. Three mls or so... he didn't think he had but a minute or two of advantage, but fortunately he had the home field advantage here, and he wouldn't need that long.
It was his turn to bend close. "Don't ever threaten my family again," he snarled. "I don't think that will be a problem, though."
Using his far greater weight on the vampire, Xeph deftly finished what he'd begun, jabbing the syringe into the man's arm this time, one foot on his hand to keep him still. it would be interesting to see how this much sedative effected a vampire. And what happened when they died of it.
Sadly, Xeph didn't get to study his handiwork.
Xeph
14 years ago
Amir couldn't make any sense of up or down as he tried to untangle himself from the metal-framed chairs Xephier had thrown him into. He saw the man, or three of him, approaching again and was completely unable to stop him as he weighed him down and plunged the syringe once more into Amir's unresisting flesh.
The burn of it woke him up, a trail of fire that raced its way up his arm. With great effort he heaved himself free, throwing Xephier with all his strength back across the desk. He was tempted, sorely tempted, to kill him then and there, but he needed Xephier alive.
And he didn't think he could manage it anyhow. The floor was tilting at an alarming rate, and it began to rush up at him when he realized he was falling. Amir stiffened his knees and focused on the door, staggering toward it and shoving it open. He could hear Xephier regaining his feet behind him, but he couldn't even focus his thoughts enough for any kind of Command now.
He struggled out into the still-populated streets of Nachton, street lights exploding in his head and voices seeming to come from miles away. Gaining teh main strip, he realized at least he still fit in - what was one more drunk on a Friday night?
Xephier wasn't following. He knew that. Through the haze of his drugged mind he knew there was no way the man could risk himself by chasing Amir out into public. He was safe here.
Sort of... the street was digging into his hands. Hands? He staggered to his feet yet again. Fumbled for his phone. He had to get out of here. If he passed out and was still there come morning, well, he didn't relish the idea.
His fingers, however, weren't really working on the buttons of his phone. They felt completely disconnected.
The burn of it woke him up, a trail of fire that raced its way up his arm. With great effort he heaved himself free, throwing Xephier with all his strength back across the desk. He was tempted, sorely tempted, to kill him then and there, but he needed Xephier alive.
And he didn't think he could manage it anyhow. The floor was tilting at an alarming rate, and it began to rush up at him when he realized he was falling. Amir stiffened his knees and focused on the door, staggering toward it and shoving it open. He could hear Xephier regaining his feet behind him, but he couldn't even focus his thoughts enough for any kind of Command now.
He struggled out into the still-populated streets of Nachton, street lights exploding in his head and voices seeming to come from miles away. Gaining teh main strip, he realized at least he still fit in - what was one more drunk on a Friday night?
Xephier wasn't following. He knew that. Through the haze of his drugged mind he knew there was no way the man could risk himself by chasing Amir out into public. He was safe here.
Sort of... the street was digging into his hands. Hands? He staggered to his feet yet again. Fumbled for his phone. He had to get out of here. If he passed out and was still there come morning, well, he didn't relish the idea.
His fingers, however, weren't really working on the buttons of his phone. They felt completely disconnected.
Amir
14 years ago
Amir couldn't make any sense of up or down as he tried to untangle himself from the metal-framed chairs Xephier had thrown him into. He saw the man, or three of him, approaching again and was completely unable to stop him as he weighed him down and plunged the syringe once more into Amir's unresisting flesh.
The burn of it woke him up, a trail of fire that raced its way up his arm. With great effort he heaved himself free, throwing Xephier with all his strength back across the desk. He was tempted, sorely tempted, to kill him then and there, but he needed Xephier alive.
And he didn't think he could manage it anyhow. The floor was tilting at an alarming rate, and it began to rush up at him when he realized he was falling. Amir stiffened his knees and focused on the door, staggering toward it and shoving it open. He could hear Xephier regaining his feet behind him, but he couldn't even focus his thoughts enough for any kind of Command now.
He struggled out into the still-populated streets of Nachton, street lights exploding in his head and voices seeming to come from miles away. Gaining the main strip, he realized at least he still fit in - what was one more drunk on a Friday night?
Xephier wasn't following. He knew that. Through the haze of his drugged mind he knew there was no way the man could risk himself by chasing Amir out into public. He was safe here.
Sort of... the street was digging into his hands. Hands? He staggered to his feet yet again. Fumbled for his phone. He had to get out of here. If he passed out and was still there come morning, well, he didn't relish the idea.
His fingers, however, weren't really working on the buttons of his phone. They felt completely disconnected.
The burn of it woke him up, a trail of fire that raced its way up his arm. With great effort he heaved himself free, throwing Xephier with all his strength back across the desk. He was tempted, sorely tempted, to kill him then and there, but he needed Xephier alive.
And he didn't think he could manage it anyhow. The floor was tilting at an alarming rate, and it began to rush up at him when he realized he was falling. Amir stiffened his knees and focused on the door, staggering toward it and shoving it open. He could hear Xephier regaining his feet behind him, but he couldn't even focus his thoughts enough for any kind of Command now.
He struggled out into the still-populated streets of Nachton, street lights exploding in his head and voices seeming to come from miles away. Gaining the main strip, he realized at least he still fit in - what was one more drunk on a Friday night?
Xephier wasn't following. He knew that. Through the haze of his drugged mind he knew there was no way the man could risk himself by chasing Amir out into public. He was safe here.
Sort of... the street was digging into his hands. Hands? He staggered to his feet yet again. Fumbled for his phone. He had to get out of here. If he passed out and was still there come morning, well, he didn't relish the idea.
His fingers, however, weren't really working on the buttons of his phone. They felt completely disconnected.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph felt a moment of alarm when the vampire managed to hurl him across the room. He tumbled over the reception desk, breaking who knows how many pieces of equipment, and everything went black.
Not for long though; he opened his eyes in what must have been mere seconds, for he heard the bell on the door as the vampire managed to make it out.
Damn it. Damn him. Xephier couldn't follow him; not out there, not to the strip, not to where there were people walking around. He had to have faith; he had put enough sedative in that syringe to euthanize an elephant. Maybe three. Surely it was enough. It had to be enough.
He couldn't jeopardize his Pack chasing after the man. Of course, he was a doctor. A smile lit his features as he righted himself and went to get his coat. He had a few minutes at the very least...
Helping out one of the local drunks wouldn't hurt his image at all, would it?
Not for long though; he opened his eyes in what must have been mere seconds, for he heard the bell on the door as the vampire managed to make it out.
Damn it. Damn him. Xephier couldn't follow him; not out there, not to the strip, not to where there were people walking around. He had to have faith; he had put enough sedative in that syringe to euthanize an elephant. Maybe three. Surely it was enough. It had to be enough.
He couldn't jeopardize his Pack chasing after the man. Of course, he was a doctor. A smile lit his features as he righted himself and went to get his coat. He had a few minutes at the very least...
Helping out one of the local drunks wouldn't hurt his image at all, would it?
Amir
14 years ago
Amir fetched up against the side of a storefront, using the doorway to hold himself upright. He was in a tunnel; at least it felt like it. Street lights, headlights from cars, reflections off of windows all blurred together. He flinched away from every flashing light, trying to cover his eyes with a hand that wouldn't comply and simply flapped uselessly at his side. His numb fingers couldn't even wrap themselves around the slim little cell phone in his pocket.
He slid down the door frame on legs that refused to straighten anymore. He felt like he was about to be violently ill. His face and hands were clammy. What the fuck had Xephier done to him? His head bent down slowly, slowly. He saw the gritty sidewalk and couldn't pull himself up.
Footsteps echoed down his ear canals as if he were in a cavern. Lights flashed. A footstep. Voices chattered. Another step. His head lolled uselessly and he managed to roll it up. A white coat, and another step.
Xephier had followed him out. The good doctor. Amir could have laughed, if he were capable of managing any sort of motor or vocal control. As it was, he tried to compliment Xephier on his catch.
"G'job," he slurred. His lips tipped up into a grin and he didn't manage to say anymore.
Xephier's heavily accented voice came down to him, the smiling face bending down, pulling him to his feet helpfully.
Doctor, doctor... Amir finally managed a laugh. What an end.
He slid down the door frame on legs that refused to straighten anymore. He felt like he was about to be violently ill. His face and hands were clammy. What the fuck had Xephier done to him? His head bent down slowly, slowly. He saw the gritty sidewalk and couldn't pull himself up.
Footsteps echoed down his ear canals as if he were in a cavern. Lights flashed. A footstep. Voices chattered. Another step. His head lolled uselessly and he managed to roll it up. A white coat, and another step.
Xephier had followed him out. The good doctor. Amir could have laughed, if he were capable of managing any sort of motor or vocal control. As it was, he tried to compliment Xephier on his catch.
"G'job," he slurred. His lips tipped up into a grin and he didn't manage to say anymore.
Xephier's heavily accented voice came down to him, the smiling face bending down, pulling him to his feet helpfully.
Doctor, doctor... Amir finally managed a laugh. What an end.
Xeph
14 years ago
Xeph walked out of his clinic and casually closed the door, whistling to himself. Turning, he locked it and gave it a final pull. He waved to a couple passing by. Turned the corner onto the main strip, and almost laughed.
There was his quarry. He'd thought the jackal-vampire might get farther before the full effects of several bottles of injected valium cocktail took effect, but apparently not. He'd gone no further than maybe fifty feet, and was sitting against the door frame of a small, closed shop. Xeph affected an air of concern as he approached.
"Hey, you all right?" The friendly doctor, concerned for the well-being of another drunkard on the Strip.
He bent down, reached out as if to pull the man to his feet, help him get himself home or to a clinic. He was nothing if not helpful. A night in an open field tied down to await the sunrise would help greatly, he was sure. Sunshine made everything better right?
Before he could grab the man, though, there was a flash of grey and a sound that made his toes curl... nothing like a pissed-off cat in your face. Damn! Tiny, ferocious claws dug into his face as someone's godawful stray decided to take umbrage at his trespassing.
Xeph ripped the shrieking feline off his face and hurled it away. It landed on its feet (miserable little thing) and bounced back, further angered by the man's harsh treatment. Even more aggressive than the normal cat attack, the idea came to Xeph as he tried to cover his face, fending off the claws and teeth. He wanted to wring its neck but already a mini crowd had gathered, watching him deal with the animal.
Conscious of who he was and where he was, Xeph sternly scruffed the cat and pulled it off his face. He looked it in the eyes, which were a striking pale color, and noted its unusual fur, silver-grey with a black spotted pattern.
"Bad kitty," he said through gritted teeth, forcing himself to play nice for the benefit of his onlookers. "Now run along."
The cat blinked and nodded, setting him aback, and squirmed to get down. He complied and the cat zipped off around a corner.
Looking down, Xeph swore. The vampire was gone. The crowd of onlookers were now starting to recognize him, pointing and murmuring. He quickly switched personas, falling into his usual good-natured eligible wealthy bachelor face, using his peripherals to locate the missing vampire.
And no luck. With the small crowd holding him up, asking him abotu the cat, the drunk, and excited to be a momentary part of celebrity, Xeph was stuck hoping the jackal-vampire passed out in an alley and was stuck there until the sun came up.
((ooc: Xeph out))
There was his quarry. He'd thought the jackal-vampire might get farther before the full effects of several bottles of injected valium cocktail took effect, but apparently not. He'd gone no further than maybe fifty feet, and was sitting against the door frame of a small, closed shop. Xeph affected an air of concern as he approached.
"Hey, you all right?" The friendly doctor, concerned for the well-being of another drunkard on the Strip.
He bent down, reached out as if to pull the man to his feet, help him get himself home or to a clinic. He was nothing if not helpful. A night in an open field tied down to await the sunrise would help greatly, he was sure. Sunshine made everything better right?
Before he could grab the man, though, there was a flash of grey and a sound that made his toes curl... nothing like a pissed-off cat in your face. Damn! Tiny, ferocious claws dug into his face as someone's godawful stray decided to take umbrage at his trespassing.
Xeph ripped the shrieking feline off his face and hurled it away. It landed on its feet (miserable little thing) and bounced back, further angered by the man's harsh treatment. Even more aggressive than the normal cat attack, the idea came to Xeph as he tried to cover his face, fending off the claws and teeth. He wanted to wring its neck but already a mini crowd had gathered, watching him deal with the animal.
Conscious of who he was and where he was, Xeph sternly scruffed the cat and pulled it off his face. He looked it in the eyes, which were a striking pale color, and noted its unusual fur, silver-grey with a black spotted pattern.
"Bad kitty," he said through gritted teeth, forcing himself to play nice for the benefit of his onlookers. "Now run along."
The cat blinked and nodded, setting him aback, and squirmed to get down. He complied and the cat zipped off around a corner.
Looking down, Xeph swore. The vampire was gone. The crowd of onlookers were now starting to recognize him, pointing and murmuring. He quickly switched personas, falling into his usual good-natured eligible wealthy bachelor face, using his peripherals to locate the missing vampire.
And no luck. With the small crowd holding him up, asking him abotu the cat, the drunk, and excited to be a momentary part of celebrity, Xeph was stuck hoping the jackal-vampire passed out in an alley and was stuck there until the sun came up.
((ooc: Xeph out))
Amir
14 years ago
Amir stopped laughing abruptly as something blurry and grey hit Xephier full on in the face, a hideous wailing issuing from its mouth. He didn't wait to see how it ended; as Xephier's hand fell away he mustered every ounce of focus he had left in him and lurched to his feet, running, stumbling, falling, rolling upright again, and pounding around the nearest corner, completely out of control.
His brain was growing fuzzy again but he kept moving. He was in a back alley, right on the edge of the strip and the neighboring industrial area. He had to find cover, hiding, someplace to sleep this shit off before he passed out right there in the street.
He collided with the corner of a brick wall and rebounded, spinning and continuing on in whatever direction he was facing, praying he wasn't headed back toward the Strip. When his knees finally gave out he found himself faceplanted on concrete, half the skin of his face peeled away and his mouth full of blood.
He coughed, spat out a tooth which immediately began to regenerate, and tried to get his bearings. A noise off to the side drew his wandering attention and he held out his hand. The soft grey head butted into him, rubbing against his fingertips.
"Nice timing," he mumbled softly, the words still slurred. Panic began to wane, replaced with a sense of relief. If the cat was here, he wasn't going to end his life like this, embarrassingly drunk and high on some sort of medical overdose. She wouldn't let him. There was far too much history there.
She meowed again, the noise much louder, more alarming. It drilled a hole into Amir's pounding skull and he thrashed, trying to regain his feet. Xephier must have followed again.
But no - a door opened, and the strains of an old-fashioned melody reached his ears. The light from the doorway silhouetted a tall figure.
"Well well. Look what the cat dragged in," came the baritone voice above him, full of irony but no maliciousness.
The cat meowed again and Amir tried to appreciate the irony of it all but failed. He rolled over with a moan and felt his eyeballs continue to roll as he endeavored to focus them on the man.
"You're a mess, boy."
He couldn't agree more.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Deep, slow laugh. No hurry, I'll just die here. It's okay gramps.
The cat seemed annoyed. Amir thought so, anyway. Darkness was threatening to engulf him. His mouth was dry, his tongue felt swollen and cottony. Wide, strong hands suddenly lifted him and the world tipped over and went crazy.
"Relax, child. I'll take it from here."
Amir didn't think the man was talking to him but he couldn't comment either way. They passed through the doorway and went down a tunnel... no, a hallway, into a darkened room with almost no lighting at all. A moment later he was lying on something firm but yielding - a couch?
The man bent over him. Amir knew this man. Respected him. Couldn't link a name to either him or the strange cat. Could barely remember his own name. The figure shook its head. "Don't know who did what to you, boy, but you'd best get to healing yourself up. I have plans for you, and they don't include sweeping you into a dustbin."
The door closed and Amir fell, down into darkness, the strains of fifties jazz wafting through his mind.
((ooc: Amir out))
His brain was growing fuzzy again but he kept moving. He was in a back alley, right on the edge of the strip and the neighboring industrial area. He had to find cover, hiding, someplace to sleep this shit off before he passed out right there in the street.
He collided with the corner of a brick wall and rebounded, spinning and continuing on in whatever direction he was facing, praying he wasn't headed back toward the Strip. When his knees finally gave out he found himself faceplanted on concrete, half the skin of his face peeled away and his mouth full of blood.
He coughed, spat out a tooth which immediately began to regenerate, and tried to get his bearings. A noise off to the side drew his wandering attention and he held out his hand. The soft grey head butted into him, rubbing against his fingertips.
"Nice timing," he mumbled softly, the words still slurred. Panic began to wane, replaced with a sense of relief. If the cat was here, he wasn't going to end his life like this, embarrassingly drunk and high on some sort of medical overdose. She wouldn't let him. There was far too much history there.
She meowed again, the noise much louder, more alarming. It drilled a hole into Amir's pounding skull and he thrashed, trying to regain his feet. Xephier must have followed again.
But no - a door opened, and the strains of an old-fashioned melody reached his ears. The light from the doorway silhouetted a tall figure.
"Well well. Look what the cat dragged in," came the baritone voice above him, full of irony but no maliciousness.
The cat meowed again and Amir tried to appreciate the irony of it all but failed. He rolled over with a moan and felt his eyeballs continue to roll as he endeavored to focus them on the man.
"You're a mess, boy."
He couldn't agree more.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Deep, slow laugh. No hurry, I'll just die here. It's okay gramps.
The cat seemed annoyed. Amir thought so, anyway. Darkness was threatening to engulf him. His mouth was dry, his tongue felt swollen and cottony. Wide, strong hands suddenly lifted him and the world tipped over and went crazy.
"Relax, child. I'll take it from here."
Amir didn't think the man was talking to him but he couldn't comment either way. They passed through the doorway and went down a tunnel... no, a hallway, into a darkened room with almost no lighting at all. A moment later he was lying on something firm but yielding - a couch?
The man bent over him. Amir knew this man. Respected him. Couldn't link a name to either him or the strange cat. Could barely remember his own name. The figure shook its head. "Don't know who did what to you, boy, but you'd best get to healing yourself up. I have plans for you, and they don't include sweeping you into a dustbin."
The door closed and Amir fell, down into darkness, the strains of fifties jazz wafting through his mind.
((ooc: Amir out))