Yes, even with the final exam for English looming ahead, an nightmarishly difficult mgp project presentation threatening on Monday, a dreadful of a test tomorrow and then the conundrum of another test in a different class also tomorrow on Friday, I still find ways to slack off. Amazing isn't it? Well what better way to slack off and enjoy it than by submitting a chapter? I've decided. Its 9:47 and I have to get up at 5:45 tomorrow. God damn I'm gonna be completely smashed and a wreck for school but I will not leave this desk until I finish this chapter. (or I need a bathroom break. Whatever happens first.)
Author: Now to write the scene where Seras realizes that-
Seras: *shock* you can't do this!
Author: I can too! I'm an almighty author! I can do anything I want! I could kill off Alucard if I wanted, or make this seem like a scen from inyuasha.
Seras: gasp* no!
Author smiles evilly, deciding to reveal the true extent of her wickedness: the Four Kids version.
Everyone draws away horrified: not the four kids version. Have mercy!
Author: or make the most horrifying thing in the world happen that you could possibly imagine. The most hellish gruesome fate to happen to all of you if you cross me or make a spoiler.
Seras: A crossover?
Author: worse.
Seras: what could be worse? A marysue added to the fic? The characters all start resembling a bad 80's movie? I'm made to look like a wimp like I am in the canon? You make Alucard out to be gay therefore eliminating all chances of SerasXAlucard? You bring micheal Jackson to a kids playground with no cops nearby or parental supervision? What? What could be worse? Oh god! Don't tell me you're going to stop writing!
Author: much worse. Much, much worse. Think something so evil and frightening that Hitler looks like a green peace advocate and just loves the Jewish faith.
*Seras looks terrified* Seras: *Gasp* you wouldn't….
Author: ahahahahahaah! Yes! I could…
Thunder flashes ominously in the corner. Seras screams. Mayhem ensues and everyone is screaming in fear. Even Alucard looks worried and agitated. Seras starts crying in the corner. Babies weep. Men and women run towards the exits of the computer trying to find a way out. People are looting in the streets and animals flee the area. People beg for boats on the hotmail emergency evacuation for the highest bid. People flock to synagogues or churches begging for mercy and all over the streets homeless men hold 'end of the world' signs.
Author:AhahahahahaAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAH! YES! YES! I will make this into a dark and terrible place. A hell on earth. I shall turn it into:
New Jersey…
Seras: NO! YOU CAN'T! ANYTHING BUT THAT!
Author cackles: It's the power of the pen baby!
Alucard: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
Author: Madness you say? MADNESS?
*Alucard gets kicked into a great hole by the author*
Author: THIS. IS. SPAAAAARRRRRTTTTAAAAAAAAAA!
XxxxXxxxXxxxxxXxxXXx
She shivered from the cold and wished she could rub her arms. The emerald cloak about her shoulders was beautiful but not effective protection from the cold. The rope was rubbing her skin raw and she could only be glad that she was wearing a long sleeved dress so that it didn't give her blisters or burn marks. Every time the horse beneath her moved she was forced to sway slightly causing the rope to jerk her forward and back some and it make a groaning noise every time it was momentarily stretched taunt and then slackened.
Clop-the horse jostles her-jerk backwards and slightly to the left-whhhiiirrr- the rope slackens-clip-the rope tautens-snip-jerk forwards and slightly to the right- Clop-the horse jostles her-jerk backwards and slightly to the left-whhhiiirrr- the rope slackens-clip-the rope tautens-snip-jerk forwards and slightly to the right-
It was only to the safety of the bridle that she had not fallen off yet. She gripped it tightly and her hands were white and cold. Every time the horse jostled forward the air was knocked out of her slightly and her head spun a little from the lack of air. She glared at the broad back in front of her in rage. She had forgotten her moping and sulky behaviors in favor for her anger. Sulking did nothing for her. How was she to focus on escaping if she was pouting like an infant? She needed to think like a woman with all her cunning and guile in play.
She was angry and resentful for being captured. Captured… like an animal. And being told he would 'keep her'. Like she was a rare bird he wanted to add to his collection. How many other women did he have waiting for him at home? How many did he 'keep' and how many would she have to share herself with? Anger burned inside her hotter at this idea. Ooh. Why was she jealous again? He was making her jealous and she was even angrier at him for it. She was angry that she was nearing the mountains. They had already passed Ramnicu Valcea. She felt a stab of fear. Too close. That was too close to the Carpathians and they had passed through the rock studded terrain that was close to the beginning of the mountain pass. But most of all she was angry for how she was being taken captive.
The ropes tightly bound her arms to her sides and her wrists were pressed together in front of her to grab the bridle of the saddle. Her wrists were tied together by a separate rope. But most humiliating was the rope around her waist that was not only tied to the horse but was the rope he held in his hands ten feet ahead of the horse he used to lead. Like she was a dog. She eyed red cloak angrily. He was just walking in front of her leisurely like it was normal to kidnap women, put them on a ship, entrance them to fall asleep and then tie them up and take them home. She had screamed angrily at him for hours and all he did was laugh and goad her or ignore her. Now her voice was hoarse from her abuse of it. She felt so tired. They had been going for hours and the riding was taking its toll on her. They were starting to get high up and the gasps of air came back out in white puffs. So bitterly cold…
She had to get away. It didn't matter that she didn't want to… she would figure that out later. Perhaps a bit of insanity on her part. She did and didn't want to leave. The frustration of not understanding her own emotions made her want to scream. She didn't want to leave but had to get away. Worse was that she known in her hearts heart, that she wanted to stay. Stay with him. But the castle… She just had to get away. She felt fear inside her again and forced it down. She couldn't go there. She couldn't be turned. She wouldn't be able to live with herself.
She was so scared. No, no she was not scared. She was fearless. She would be strong and escape. She felt herself wanting to cry and forced that down too. She didn't need to cry. That was all she had to tell herself. But the more she told herself somehow the less she believed it. I am not afraid. I am not afraid. I am unafraid. I am… not afraid… I don't need to cry… I'm fine. I'm… I'm fine… I… I… Sob... I'm scared… someone, anyone… please… help me … I'm afraid …. Can't anyone help me? Sob hic! I'm so frightened …
Once again she wrapped her legs tightly about the horse and carefully lifted her hands off the bridle. It hadn't worked the last hundred or so times she had tired but it had to work sometime. She swayed dangerously on the horse but again didn't fall. She eyed him nervously ahead of her in case he knew what she was doing. Earlier when she had woken she threw all manners of shameful fits and jerked on the rope for hours in vain. His grip was like irons. She winced. Her wrists were reddened and raw and she wanted to stick them in water. But she couldn't give in to her fear. She forced back her fear and scolded herself for the tears. She couldn't give in to her fear. This time she waited until the horse would pull the rope tight to try it; she was waiting for the right moment to pull back. No one could help her now. She would have to help herself.
Clop-the horse jostles her-jerk backwards and slightly to the left-whhhiiirrr- the rope slackens-clip-the rope tautens-snip-jerk forwards and slightly to the right-she quickly jerked her body back- SNAP!
Not questioning her luck that the rope Vlad held had finally broke she grabbed the bridle and urged the horse to the left and down into the trees. She felt surprise. The horse didn't move. It just stood there and she looked at him and he seemed amused by her pitiful effort at escape. She trembled as he smoothly walked forward and took her in his arms bridle style. She struggled with the ropes and he ignored her squirming and continued to walk, just leaving the horse behind him to whatever fate it could meet in the mountains. She felt them starting to go even higher and she could feel the cold become worse. It was too cold… she couldn't help it but she started shivering. The higher they went the colder it got and the worse her shivers became.
He continued walking and she felt confused about how they were going so fast. He didn't seem to be running but he was just walking. He took only full length strides of his long legs. Yet the scenery moved by so quickly. They were so high up. Her lungs felt like they would burst. Her eyes burned from the cold so she pinched them closed. It was so cold! She couldn't feel her toes yet the new boots he had forced on her feet were filled with rabbit fur. She clenched her hands together and tried rubbing them but they felt numb. Numb and frozen. Her teeth started to chatter slight and she felt her bodies shaking become even more violent. The air became even thinner… So cold… her head spun. Surprise shot through her. She couldn't breath! She tried to gulp in air and what little she got burned her. It was so chilly! Can't breathe! She was so cold. She tried to cough and all that happened was her throat letting out the last of the air she needed. He continued walking higher still…
She tried to pound on his chest, shout, anything. But she couldn't. It was like being crushed by great jagged boulders. It was like being buried alive. It was like being underwater and not knowing which way was up.. Her vision was going black and her throat felt like it was being wrung. Her whole body felt like it was in a too small corset being constricted heartlessly. Her head screamed wordlessly for air. Her lungs blazed and begged for nourishment. She felt her arms going limp and her body relaxing. Her vision was black her heart felt like it was being compressed. Her body felt like it was spinning and still at the same time and she felt sick because it was like they were going faster and standing still. Her head felt so sluggish and slow. She tried to tell him.
VLAD! VLAD? VlAD! I NEED AI!. I'M DYING! VLAD! CANT YOU HEAR ME?STOP! STOP… please Ineed… air… Vlad… stop… stop… pleas…. Sto… st…to…p…
It's so cold…. I feel so cold… she felt her eyes begin to close and her heart slow… bmp-bmp-bmp…bmp-bmp-…
All of the sudden it was over. Her world spun and twisted and her chest and body tingled as she heaved in air in great shuddering gasps and coughs. Weakly she clutched at whatever she was holding as her body shuddered and her vision swam in spirals and circles. Her heart hammered slightly and fluttered every now and then. She felt her strength begin to return yet the sick feeling stayed. Her stomach turned and she groaned before curling up to steady her world. Her sight began to focus and she shivered. Some great yellow light flooded her eyes and dazzled her.
She could hear snaps and pops of some great fire and she felt the warmth as she trembled. Shivering she huddled closer to it but felt herself being restrained. She whined piteously trying to get closer to the fire or at least try to find a way to have both sides of herself warmed. Whatever she was laying on was warm also and she cuddled up closer trying to get any warmth she could. Soft and warm. She laid there with her eyes shut and continued her fit of shivers. She heard a great snap and flurries of embers flew by with great popping noises. Another log had been added. The fire blazed hotter and she stretched her legs out gratefully trying to get them exposed to the heat of the blazing fire.
But her legs wouldn't move for her because they shook too badly. Her teeth chattered horrible and her jaw clattered with clicks. She felt a hand grabbed her legs and stretch them out forcing them to be exposed to the heat of the flame. Her body began to warm and she could feel her back warming but her toes remained cold. Whoever was with her somehow heard this thought she felt her boots being removed. She made a noise of protest as she felt the cold air brush her bare feet but immediately felt better with them off and the fire warming them. Her shivers and shakes started to slow and her jaws clicks and clucks slowly subsided.
Her breathing calmed too. She felt so much better but still slightly dazed and so sleepy… her eyes fluttered… sleepy…. She snuggled even closer to the warm, soft thing she laid on and closed her eyes. She sighed and fell asleep…
He looked upon the sleeping girl in his lap. He knew it was dangerous to take her up in that area without letting her adjust to the elevation but they had no time for a three day camping rest so she could be accustomed. Besides castle Bran was in the belly of a depression in the mountain and she would have just had to get reacquainted with lower pressures. He as a vampire needed no time to adjust. He felt frustrated. Humans were so frail! He felt slightly regretful because the risk had nearly killed her but she lay curled in his lap safely asleep and warm, albeit exhausted, so he felt the reward was worth it. All he had needed was to be fast enough to reach the hundred mile mark and he could phase the rest of the way. Granted this made even him tired, especially since he had been walking in the sun the last few days but it was far more than worth it. Already he relaxed in his favorite chair in the catacombs of the castle. His room. He smirked. They could hardly call his room a catacomb. It was his alone and no one was allowed here save for three trusted people, now to be four. He grinned.
He rather wondered how long it would be before everyone saw the smoke and realized he was back. It would be interesting to see their reactions to his return. Especially the prize he brought back with him. He frowned. He needed his three aids to keep Seras a secret for as long as possible. Hopefully until she agreed to become his bride. He looked down at her in his lap. The color was returning to her face rather nicely and her breathing was nice and even. He felt entranced just by looking at her. Her pale face and hair seemed to glow in the firelight like liquid gold.
He closed his eyes and enjoyed the noise of her heartbeat. Soon that noise would stop. That noise had always been the smallest of tempting drum beats and the largest of exotic birds fluttering wings. It was Seras's noise and the sound of her heart beat of beautiful… He held himself back from a taste. She was still recovering slightly and they had been traveling hard for days. It had taken four weeks cooped up in the same room in a ship that tossed and turned to cross the ocean. Then when they finally docked her continuous attempts to escape. While they were amusing some of them nearly succeeded. Then the three week trek over two hundred miles that was much too slow for his taste. If he could just phase they would have been there in days, not months.
He studied his room and wrinkled his nose. It was covered in dust and the smells were rather unappealing. He would have to sleep and use to power to clear it up. His eye flickered to the desk. The letter he wrote explaining his decision to Sigismund and the other two still lay close to where he had put it. So they had read it and put it back down… The parchment was yellowing and curling at the edges. In fact the letter seemed to be a statement on his room. Everything looked yellow with age. His bookshelves were covered in dust and cobwebs. The aged door the led to the stairwell that went up was black with rot and was barley hanging on like it would crack in two any moment now. Even the stones beneath his feat were covered in filth. His eye scanned the ancient spinet in the corner and he felt content to leave that dusty. He never touched it anyways. His grin faltered for a moment when he saw the sword collection had dulled and lost its former luster. Such beautiful works… his grin returned. No matter all it would take was some use of power to restore the room.
His eyes returned to the fireplace. The wood was old and dry luckily or she was have been chilled to death or gotten black toes. He had never really used the fire place but now he felt glad it was here in the first place. He eyed his coffin feeling rather content. His beloved coffin… just another thing he had to leave behind when he followed little Seras to England. He had never imagined the small tiny girl he had decided to follow for amusement would become the women she was today or that he would want to make her his. When he had followed her to England she had been mostly a vice in his view to stave off boredom. A break in the tedious monotony of court life. He never tired of ruling but nothing had seemed interesting anymore. Like he had seen it all before and then some. It was very tedious dealing with human travel. He remembered that day well…
He couldn't sleep and he growled in frustration for it… he was simply too old to need sleep. At his age he could stay awakes for weeks on end without feeding and feel fine. It was more out of enjoyment that he fed and the pleasant feeling of being refreshed that he bothers to try to rest. But now on blasted boat he found everything tedious and dull. Everything smelled of decaying ship rot and rats that had crept aboard. He would have studied the minds of the humans for amusement but he had already done that thrice times over and felt that he could glean nothing more of interest of their empty minds. Then earlier he had tried amusing himself in the confines of a spare coffin b listening to the sounds of the ship but that too grew dull before long.
He had the fortune of choosing the same ship as Seras but she did not know he had followed her and soon he would be in England. He rather wanted to see the look on her face. But still this was dreary, being locked in a box that was in no way as comfortable as his coffin. While it certainly didn't kill him if he stepped out of his coffin, being over open waters would drain him if he were not lying on dirt from his birth place. So he stayed inside the box. He wanted to investigate the mind of the interesting child. It had been a full four months since he had met her and the inquisitive mind fascinated him. He found himself more often that not playing babysitter to her because never before had he felt fascinated and more alive than when he saw into the mind of the young girl who lay asleep above him.
He snorted. Alive… it was paradoxical that the one emotional term to describe his state lately was the one word that could no longer be applied to him. Yet that was what the child did to him. The imaginings of the little girl were amusing and sometimes startling. He had as of late found himself more engrossed with the small child than that of the court or the filthy humans who were trying to pillage his castle and finding nothing; curtsey of the illusion. His mind wandered to seras again. He knew that some small children could see through it and he wondered if it was a fluke, if she would grow out of it in time. He felt himself relaxing and smiled. Ahhh. Finally. He seemed to find his puzzeling over the girl relaxed him and he got to sleep better and faster and today was no different. He needed sleep and he could feel it coming.