4. Loss

[hismasterpiece]

[Action -- After Nightfall on the 11th]

[A pale young woman wanders into the village, twisting her hair round her fingers compulsively. She's hungry.


She's STARVING.

A whimper escapes her lips as she collapses by the fountain, and she calls out weakly:]

Spikey? Love sundae? The jaws can't bite; the claws can't catch.

[/Action]


[Drusilla has returned from death. Her DP is that she has lost the ability to go gameface and, therefore, to feed on victims using her fangs.]

Comments

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[He shrinks back a little.]

I...I wouldn't go that far. I just...don't want to see you suffer from starvation. Nor do I want you to be slain again for your natural instinct.

[Action]

[hismasterpiece]

[The loneliness and separation from her family are making this ordeal so much more worse for Drusilla. She misses Angel. She misses Spike. Hell, Darla would be welcome right now, or even that chit Harmony.]

Then feed me, Saleh. My natural instinct thirsts.

[Action]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh raises the knife again, still uncertain.]

...How? From my hand, perhaps?

[Action]

[hismasterpiece]

That...that will do. [She has her eye on that knife. It can't really hurt her unless he severs her head with it.] A sip?

[Action] Warning, self-harm

[mountain_sage]

...Perhaps a few sips. As much as you need, so long as it will not endanger my life.

[He brings the knife to his palm, pausing for a moment to brace himself. And then he drags the blade hard across it, cutting into his flesh, drawing out a handful of blood. He winces in pain throughout the act, trying to hold in his cries, but is only partially successful as he does let out a few groans. Once finished, he pulls back the knife and holds his bleeding hand out to the vampire.]

So...you are unable to bite people anymore...?

[hismasterpiece]

Cannot...cannot bite. [The smell of blood is overwhelmingly delicious. Falling forward against Saleh, the vampire greedily seeks out the wound with her mouth. Desperate. Desperate to feed.]

[mountain_sage]

Easy...!

[He almost loses his balance as she falls against him, but he pushes to keep her upright. He then brings his bleeding hand to her mouth.]

Here...drink this...

[It feels awkward to say it, but he had to ease her hunger as well as he could.]

[hismasterpiece]

[With her lips set firmly against his skin, the vampire drinks. Oh, the relief -- warm blood flowing into her cold, cold body once more, bringign heat and unlife and energy to her limbs and unbeating heart. Skin that felt cracked and papery takes on a warm softness; lips that had been dry became lush and moist; sunken eyes filled out into beautiful dark pools.

His blood nourished her. And it was delicious.]

[mountain_sage]

[He watches in disbelief as the woman's condition significantly improves so visibly and so quickly.]

...Better?

[He seems bewildered as he asks the question, as the answer should be obvious.]

...We need to work something out. Some way to keep you fed. I highly doubt that many people would be willing to feed you like this. What will you do?

[hismasterpiece]

I will do what I must, beautiful Saleh. [She licks her lips; a new strength is springing up through her body. But she won't finish him off -- he is clearly more useful to her alive than dead, and not even in thrall!]

What do you propose?

[mountain_sage]

[The question gives him pause. He's not entirely sure what to propose, aside from something vague.]

There must be some sort of compromise. We'll need to find a way to keep you nourished without the need to attack other residents. Perhaps I could help you feed on the wildlife...and I could offer my own blood from time to time.

[hismasterpiece]

You would do that? [She looks at him, and there is such appeal. A handsome face. If only he would succumb. If only she could make him family. He could be her consort, then. But she knows him well enough to know that he has magic, and that in this state she would not last long against it.]

I accept this compromise. It smells of iron and feathers, but I accept it nonetheless.

[mountain_sage]

[A sigh of relief.] Thank you. I know this will be difficult for you, but I do not wish for you to be slain again. Nor do I wish to resort to forceful measures to contain you. So I believe this would be a peaceful compromise, to keep everyone safe.

[hismasterpiece]

[She relaxes slightly. Perhaps there is still time to change his mind about becoming her consort, but for now she is content with the decision.]

So you are a neutral force, then. Not one of the Powers; not one of the shadow children. Your blood, though -- flavored with goodness.

[mountain_sage]

Yes, I would lean towards the side of good. I would not tolerate senseless violence and destruction, from either side. But I would not pursue an evil person if they have done nothing.

You...are not evil, are you? If someone does attempt to destroy or attack people, then I would fight. So I do hope that you will not force my hand.

[hismasterpiece]

I am evil's daughter. I am evil's creation. [A slow smile, almost luxurious.] Evil is my daddy. My fanged daddy. My Angel.

[mountain_sage]

I see...

[Well, at least she's honest about it. In this case, Saleh would have to prepare himself for what he would eventually have to do.]

[hismasterpiece]

He used to be here, you know. My love-daddy. I can still scent him on the winds...

[Thin white arms are stretched over her head as she takes in the nightbreeze.]

[mountain_sage]

...Really? You can...smell him? Who is it?

[hismasterpiece]

Spike. Spike! You know of him, pretty blood-brother?