Alfarinn raised his eyebrows slightly when Alex commented that his body felt cold. "That is interesting.†The last person he had turned had felt differently but they had been in a fight and he had been dying of multiple stab wounds. The night ground had been cold and hard except for his blood pooling warm beneath him.
Alex truly was cold. He was shivering in his arms and his body temperature was dropping as well. It might return to normal when the changing was over but for the moment neither of them felt very alive. Keeping an arm around Alex, Alfarinn reached over and pulled the edge of the dark blue comforter up and over the both of them, tucking it tightly around Alex's body.
He looked around the room and then down at Alex when he mentioned sea and snow. "That is not surprising.†The screen with the ocean scene on its surface was pulled down despite the night. The pictures on the wall were all of the ocean and sailboats and the main décor was the aquarium with its tropical fish swimming serenely around pieces of coral. Of course the snow was definitely him, as was everything in the house. This place was his sanctuary and it was filled with the things that brought him solace and reminded him of home. "That picture there.†He pointed to one with a long ship pulled up to a weathered wooden dock, tall green cliffs in the background. "She is one of my ships. She survived the battles of the day and now is the pride of a small town in Norway.†It was likely Alex couldn't see beyond his finger but it was still something to think about beyond the pain.
Alex explained what gift he was going to be given and Alfarinn chuckled softly. "You will definitely have those.†He ran a soothing hand over a blue covered shoulder. "We will take whatever other gifts you are given when they come.†In his time he had seen new vampires deal with just about every ability there was to deal with. They could handle whatever Alex manifested.
For now they would just have to wait.
Becky returned shortly with a small cooler. He nodded when she set it down near the bed. "Thank you, Becky. I trust they didn't give you a hard time.†He looked down at Alex. "He is going to be alright soon but it would be best if you leave us until the change is complete.†Alfarinn smiled up at her with calm reassurance. Seeing Alex like this was not much better than seeing him hooked up to half a dozen machines with tubes coming out of various places. He wanted her to know that this was normal and necessary and that he was not worried in the slightest. She nodded and turned to leave after telling Alex that she hoped he felt better soon.
"You will. Much better.â€
Out With the Old... (invite only)
Alex wiped the back of his hand across his brow and leaned on the kitchen counter for a second. When he brought it away from his face he frowned. It was shaking. He just felt - shaky.
It had been a week since he'd come upstairs from the clinic. A week and a half since the surgery on his knee. He knew he should be feeling much better but these last few days he'd been feeling worse. Not a lot, but a little. He hadn't mentioned it to anyone. It hadn't seemed horribly relevant. He'd been pushing himself, eager to be active, happy to be up and around.
At the moment his heart was pounding unreasonably hard though, and his ears were ringing faintly. He abandoned the cup of tea he'd been making and made his way into the bedroom. Eiryk was at work; Alex had reassured his lover that it was just fine. He had so many people here at the Towers that he could call to for help.
Right now he didn't need help. He just needed to lie down and rest. A short nap, and if he didn't feel any better he'd go see Rowan at the clinic. That's what he'd do. He arranged himself carefully in their big bed and pulled the comforter over himself, passing out before his head hit the pillow.
He woke much later than he thought he would, late in the night but too early for Eiryk to be home yet. He was sweating onto his sheets but he felt chilled. He got up, made his disturbingly breathless way into the bathroom, drank some water, and took his temperature. It was fucking high. 103.
Alex made his way back out to the living room. "MARI," he said, and his own voice sounded thready and thin to his ears. What was going on?
When the AI appeared he said, "Can you please let Rue... Dr. Murphy... know I'm coming into the clinic? Please. Wake him up if you have to."
He declined her offer of assistance; he could get to the elevator on his own. Once again, he had to wonder at his own pride as the hallway turned itself from a few feet into a few miles long. Oh god, what was happening? There... double metal doors. He reached out, far, far, and hit the button although he was pretty sure MARI knew to stop the elevator for him.
The doors slid open as Alex's vision was already tunneling. Black fuzziness invaded the periphery and he gasped a little. There was someone in the elevator already, and Alex hoped they wouldn't mind lending a hand because damn it... the world was swinging wildly around.
"Sorry," he gasped, not even sure what he was apologizing for until he began to fall. "Oh. It's you."
Arms reached out for him, and Alex had a peculiar sense of deja vu as he fell into them. "Thank god it's you."
Alfarinn
11 years ago
Eiryk
11 years ago
Quite unintentionally Aishe's words made Eiryk feel a little worse. It wasn't her fault though; he was more than a little confused and stressed, and worried, and all the rest of it and his thoughts were taking odd turns that he couldn't ignore. The physical contact did feel good though, apparently he had needed a hug or something. He still couldn't stop tying knots or turn around but he didn't push Aishe away and that was something, a start.
Kem came the closest to understanding what he was feeling. It didn't make everything ok or magically go away but it planted the seed. Eventually, he might understand and agree. It forced him to remember that when Angus turned him, Eiryk hadn't had anyone, not really. His family and one man who shared his preferences but no one he was going to come home too after being turned. Everyone he'd known thought he'd been killed and that saved a lot of complications. Right now though, Eiryk still wanted to be there for Alex and still hated that he couldn't be. It was the first step toward progress though.
Eiryk felt his knees buckle a bit when Rue said Alex was going to be a blood thirsty sweetheart. His Alex, his sweet kind Alex was going to be a potential killer. Eiryk shook his head. That wouldn't happen, couldn't, well it didn't have to. Although he'd never asked her he suspected Aishe had never killed anyone. It was proof that one could be a vampire and not a killer.
Just then Eiryk realized exactly how confused he was. He had to get out of there before he lost -his- mind and Alex didn't have anyone to come back to.
"I don't look -that- bad.â€
He said to Aishe. Although if Rue and his muddle speech, which Eiryk did understand he'd know the pirate too long not to understand or at least get the gist, was any indication he looked like hell.
With a sigh he was forced to agree with Cris, well all of them really since everyone was trying to get him out of the clinic and take some down time. It still seemed terribly wrong to take down time while Alex was dying but staying her wasn't doing anyone any good either. Slowly he nodded to Cris.
"I guess that will work. If you beat me too him though I might not forgive you.â€
It very probably was not a nice or generous thing to say but Alex was his and if he was going to have to take a back seat in his lover's turning Eiryk could learn to live with that. He was not, however, going to be put off any more than that.
He didn't want to go home though, not without Alex. He didn't want to intrude on Cris and Rowan and he didn't really want to go to Kem and Aishe's place either. He needed some kind of release himself, something comfortable for him. he needed a swim, to work his body as hard as his head and heart had been these past few days. If all he had to think about was cold water and the waves... that's what he needed. The Haxa had a tiny shower, he had some clothes there and coffee and mead. That would work. Although, he did want to be alone, if he fell asleep he might miss something...
Eiryk finally stood a bit straighter, stopped tying knots, and looked at Aishe and the rest of them.
"I thought I might get Thora and go down to the marina. Maybe you could keep me awake down there?â€
He extended the invitation hopefully. He was going to be miserable company and a rotten host but had a feeling Kem and Aishe would understand. He wanted Thora too though. Poor Thora. Someone at some point had reassured him she was being fed and looked after, probably by Pak, but she'd been alone and cooped up a lot. She could use a break too and someone had to tell her Alex wouldn't be taking her out during the day anymore.
Kem came the closest to understanding what he was feeling. It didn't make everything ok or magically go away but it planted the seed. Eventually, he might understand and agree. It forced him to remember that when Angus turned him, Eiryk hadn't had anyone, not really. His family and one man who shared his preferences but no one he was going to come home too after being turned. Everyone he'd known thought he'd been killed and that saved a lot of complications. Right now though, Eiryk still wanted to be there for Alex and still hated that he couldn't be. It was the first step toward progress though.
Eiryk felt his knees buckle a bit when Rue said Alex was going to be a blood thirsty sweetheart. His Alex, his sweet kind Alex was going to be a potential killer. Eiryk shook his head. That wouldn't happen, couldn't, well it didn't have to. Although he'd never asked her he suspected Aishe had never killed anyone. It was proof that one could be a vampire and not a killer.
Just then Eiryk realized exactly how confused he was. He had to get out of there before he lost -his- mind and Alex didn't have anyone to come back to.
"I don't look -that- bad.â€
He said to Aishe. Although if Rue and his muddle speech, which Eiryk did understand he'd know the pirate too long not to understand or at least get the gist, was any indication he looked like hell.
With a sigh he was forced to agree with Cris, well all of them really since everyone was trying to get him out of the clinic and take some down time. It still seemed terribly wrong to take down time while Alex was dying but staying her wasn't doing anyone any good either. Slowly he nodded to Cris.
"I guess that will work. If you beat me too him though I might not forgive you.â€
It very probably was not a nice or generous thing to say but Alex was his and if he was going to have to take a back seat in his lover's turning Eiryk could learn to live with that. He was not, however, going to be put off any more than that.
He didn't want to go home though, not without Alex. He didn't want to intrude on Cris and Rowan and he didn't really want to go to Kem and Aishe's place either. He needed some kind of release himself, something comfortable for him. he needed a swim, to work his body as hard as his head and heart had been these past few days. If all he had to think about was cold water and the waves... that's what he needed. The Haxa had a tiny shower, he had some clothes there and coffee and mead. That would work. Although, he did want to be alone, if he fell asleep he might miss something...
Eiryk finally stood a bit straighter, stopped tying knots, and looked at Aishe and the rest of them.
"I thought I might get Thora and go down to the marina. Maybe you could keep me awake down there?â€
He extended the invitation hopefully. He was going to be miserable company and a rotten host but had a feeling Kem and Aishe would understand. He wanted Thora too though. Poor Thora. Someone at some point had reassured him she was being fed and looked after, probably by Pak, but she'd been alone and cooped up a lot. She could use a break too and someone had to tell her Alex wouldn't be taking her out during the day anymore.
Rowan Murphy
11 years ago
Rowan leaned into Cris's embrace. [No. I know you don't,] he answered wearily. [Just tired of holding it back.]
He rarely hid his emotions, more used to sharing them than blocking them out. Especially with Cris. When Eiryk said what Eiryk said about beating him to Alex Rown pointed a shaky finger at him. "You. Don't threaten my husband. Even in play. You're lucky to have him."
God, he was slurring like the world's worst drunk. He turned to Aishe and jerked his head to Eiryk. "Take care of him. He's right worn out and likely to fall asleep in the water and drown or something equally dramatic. Such a queen."
He was teasing, and it was rough around the edges but it showed. He gazed affectionately at Eiryk for a few moments before turning back to Cris and leaning down to kiss him softly on the temple. [God yes, love. You do, don't you. And I love you for it.]
Somethings he trusted Cris, and only Cris with. 'Just the thing' was one of those. Rowan didn't even know if he had the energy to get hard but that wasn't always necessary (and well, may as well face it - Rowan had yet to experience that issue when Cris was around. He sort of had a feeling he'd come through). Already, however, just the thought of what Cris could and most likely would do to him was making him feel the tiniest of loosening of the knots in his chest. Almost groaning with the need for it, he headed out with his arm tight around Cris's waist.
He rarely hid his emotions, more used to sharing them than blocking them out. Especially with Cris. When Eiryk said what Eiryk said about beating him to Alex Rown pointed a shaky finger at him. "You. Don't threaten my husband. Even in play. You're lucky to have him."
God, he was slurring like the world's worst drunk. He turned to Aishe and jerked his head to Eiryk. "Take care of him. He's right worn out and likely to fall asleep in the water and drown or something equally dramatic. Such a queen."
He was teasing, and it was rough around the edges but it showed. He gazed affectionately at Eiryk for a few moments before turning back to Cris and leaning down to kiss him softly on the temple. [God yes, love. You do, don't you. And I love you for it.]
Somethings he trusted Cris, and only Cris with. 'Just the thing' was one of those. Rowan didn't even know if he had the energy to get hard but that wasn't always necessary (and well, may as well face it - Rowan had yet to experience that issue when Cris was around. He sort of had a feeling he'd come through). Already, however, just the thought of what Cris could and most likely would do to him was making him feel the tiniest of loosening of the knots in his chest. Almost groaning with the need for it, he headed out with his arm tight around Cris's waist.
Aishe
11 years ago
Well it was a damn good thing Eiryk seemed to understand Rowan because Aishe had no idea what he was saying. Shed heard him stressed and tired, and it always struck her as surprising that his accent really was that thick; he cleaned it up a lot when he was paying attention to it. She'd even heard him speak comfortably with no trace of an accent at all.
She exchanged a look with Kiamhaat, who nodded his immediate consent. "Yes, of course we'll go along with you. Um. Kem will swim, if you must."
He arched his eyebrows at her. "Thanks, ever so." But his pale eyes sparkled with amusement, and she knew he didn't mind. Kiamhaat loved to swim. If Eiryk wanted to, he'd keep an eye out for him in the water.
Fortunately Pak was willing to bring Thora downstairs. So after they collected the vixen, they headed to the marina with their friend, to await Alex's awakening.
She exchanged a look with Kiamhaat, who nodded his immediate consent. "Yes, of course we'll go along with you. Um. Kem will swim, if you must."
He arched his eyebrows at her. "Thanks, ever so." But his pale eyes sparkled with amusement, and she knew he didn't mind. Kiamhaat loved to swim. If Eiryk wanted to, he'd keep an eye out for him in the water.
Fortunately Pak was willing to bring Thora downstairs. So after they collected the vixen, they headed to the marina with their friend, to await Alex's awakening.
Alex Aristos
11 years ago
Oh god, he was burning up from the inside out. Alfarinn reached up, pulled a comforter around him. For a moment it was blessedly warm and then thunder rolled through him as he shuddered violently again. "Alfarinn..." he gasped.
Then came the lightning, crackling through his chest again. He arched back and gave a short cry of pain. When it receded he felt boneless, gasping for air he couldn't quite get. "Scared," he managed, clinging tightly to his Elder... no, his Creator.
Becky returned and Alex saw her through a haze of blue ice that seemed to spread across his eyes. He didn't hear them though; he hadn't heard anything Alfarinn had said either, in the last few minutes. He lay there after Becky had gone, listening to his breathing. It was coming harder, harder to reach for, harder to draw in. Ice coated his lungs.
Alfarinn had told him to think of what he wanted but all Alex could think about was Eiryk. How badly he wanted to talk to him. Reassure him. Tell him that what they were doing here was the right thing. Lightning cracked him open, cracked him apart, and he whimpered. He dug his fingers in and held on tight.
As the icy burning in his veins threatened to explode and overcome him, he closed his eyes and screamed.
((ooc: all out))
Then came the lightning, crackling through his chest again. He arched back and gave a short cry of pain. When it receded he felt boneless, gasping for air he couldn't quite get. "Scared," he managed, clinging tightly to his Elder... no, his Creator.
Becky returned and Alex saw her through a haze of blue ice that seemed to spread across his eyes. He didn't hear them though; he hadn't heard anything Alfarinn had said either, in the last few minutes. He lay there after Becky had gone, listening to his breathing. It was coming harder, harder to reach for, harder to draw in. Ice coated his lungs.
Alfarinn had told him to think of what he wanted but all Alex could think about was Eiryk. How badly he wanted to talk to him. Reassure him. Tell him that what they were doing here was the right thing. Lightning cracked him open, cracked him apart, and he whimpered. He dug his fingers in and held on tight.
As the icy burning in his veins threatened to explode and overcome him, he closed his eyes and screamed.
((ooc: all out))