Insert standard disclaimer etc
For my Jester.
With eyes closed and mind focused Vladimir could feel the aircraft slipping through each of the layers of the wind streams. Scarlett didn't bother trying to stay awake on route to their next destination, Romania; she was curled up over two seats and had her head resting on a pillow that was on his lap the moment they were boarded.
In a way, Vladimir felt the moments euphoric as if he was in a state of pause, as if in a dream, perfectly at ease and relaxed. Stephan sat across from him, also in a state of 'rest' but even he knew he was not, at least not as he was. Stephan's concern for Scarlett didn't go unnoticed by Vladimir when he retrieved a few coverings for her as she slept, as it was noticeably chilly even after they had the temperature of the space increased; his brother did care for his mate. They were a family now even more so than he and his brother ever were in the last milenia; and now with every passing day he felt more threatened at the thought of it all dissolving. The question of Scarlett's fragility was heavy on his heart even in this tranquil state where they were in perfect safety. What was to be done? He questioned this very thing to ease this uncertainty he was feeling, if anything at all to find an answer.
If Stephan could gauge his brother's appearance he'd say it was exceptionally good. The three days that passed that they were meeting with their key Asian partners were evidence of that. His human sister was of exceptional use to them in their negotiations by distracting their partners' weaknesses so easily that they could have their way in making several suggestions and many decisions that favoured them. The new deals and industry partnerships would serve them well for the next decade or two until something better, more lucrative came into light; their ultimate plan was working beautifully. "You are troubled brother?" Stephen's statement was not one of wanting to chat but one of observation over the last few days; even he could sense something brewing in his brother. This was the perfect opportunity to question him as he would not dare disturb his sleeping mate on his lap with any sudden outburst of movement or noise. Vladimir was clearly ignoring him, he dug in a little more, "I don't think I've ever heard you calling out each of the gods by name, did you invent a few the other night or were you speaking in tongues?" The walls of the place that they were staying at were very thin, even the humans heard them. If it was by design or accidental the results were beneficial in making the humans fear, or was it respect, his brothers sexual stamina on top of having a gorgeous woman at his side. If they only knew. His brother opened his eyes slightly, Stephen smirked, "Now then, what is troubling you or shall I ask specifics or comment further on what I heard?" Stephen felt a twinge of jealousy deep within him that he quickly crushed; a particularly weak and unproductive feeling was beneath his superiority.
Vladimire knew his brother was sly, it was a beneficial trait but not when it was being used against him. In many cases he'd of tossed him on his back for intruding on his personal thoughts but in his current state, the bringing down of the aircraft was not an option; it was very sly indeed. "I am weak and in turn it is making us weak and that concerns me." Vladimir knew that his utopia was fragile, as fragile as the woman on his lap. "They must know by now, even they aren't so isolated from the happenings around the world, so I do expect them to be a bother to us in this matter even though they are guilty of the same 'crime'."
He kept his words soft, Scarlett was stirring a little. He recalled two words she spoke that made him deeply consider how much she loved him and how badly she wanted immortality to stay with him, 'Show me.'. They were still embraced, he was still deeply embedded in her and she was moments past her high, 'Show me.' Her neck was where his lips were and he obeyed without question; she wanted to know where he fed from and that intoxicated him. He let his guard down for a microsecond but recovered himself before his teeth touched her skin; the sudden jolt of her hips on his lap; the feeling of how she nearly broke him still occupied his mind. "My wishes to keep her from harm, I may need to break them and that, the consequences, troubles me deeply."
Stephan looked down at the woman, his brother's fingers were embedded in her hair; she was so powerful over him and yet so fragile around him. "I wouldn't insult you by offering to do it, but you know as well as I, they will think nothing of erasing her just to hurt you or even go to the lengths of doing it themselves and then setting her on fire the moment she woke." The Italians were that sick and twisted and took a bit too much enjoyment in enforcing their idiotic 'law' over all the immortals. The shield the Cullen's owned was the key to the Italians' demise but they were unwilling to use Bella to her full potential, even the element master in Egypt could be used as the tool of such a great undertaking to bring the Italians down. Stephan knew he spent much time, too much time, considering the 'ifs' of that predicament. "I don't think they would risk coming into Romania, they haven't set foot in our borders for nearly a thousand years and those that have entered were not seen as their witnesses in the US, so, I would like to believe that they are not spies. We should be safe at home for some time." The aircraft slipped into a lower jetstream and they heard the pilot grumble over a pocket of unstable air; he was under instructions to give them the smoothest ride possible. Scarlett stirred a little when the pressure changed in her ears but she quickly settled back down.
Vladimir knew his brother was correct in his assessment of their enemies and he knew how badly they would make his mate suffer as a mortal and how quick they would smite her as an immortal. "If she asks again I will comply with her wishes." His heart was so heavy, the memory of his own transition haunted him just then. "She is strong, she will survive." Vladimir felt grim, he believed his own words but didn't have faith in them as far as how much of the women he loved would survive; the fire burned away so much of an individual away to suit its purpose.
— Several more hours passed in silence as Scarlett slept and the aircraft started making its gradual descent.
Home was home to them and after being away from it for a few years Vladimir was glad to be returning back to it with his mate. He slowly roused her from her slumber and noted how her body moved; she was near her monthly time of discomfort and he thought the timing of it was good; he needed the time to think. Scarlett was up and mobile but she also noted how she felt as evident to Vladimir by her hesitant movements and restrained contentment. It was night when they arrived, by their design and his brother went ahead of him as he helped his sleepy mate to her feet; she had said she wished to exit the aircraft on her own this time.
By the time they had reached Stephan he had already handed over their travel documentation and Vladimir set his on the counter beside it as well as his marriage certificate and her passport. Scarlett was oblivious to the procedures involved in bringing a non citizen into the country and stayed her usual silent self.
The customs agent eyed her and them, he knew he couldn't legally detain them when everything was in order but their country so steeped in its folklore the truth of their true nature was undeniable. The agent handed back the men their identification and to her, hers and she, again by instinct, passed it back to him to hold. It may have been a test, she did pass it as she did without the slightest hesitation and the little smirk she gave the agent quashed any question if she was being kept against her will.
They proceeded to their waiting car and were off to their home in the forest. The location of their home was of great significance to them; it was after all part of their history, their homeland, where they first woke up to eternity.
Back then it was a vast fielded area with pastures as far as the eye could see but it was now all forest of the oldest growth trees in all of the land. It took them several decades to acquire it, many that stood in their way were long since decayed under even more decades of dirt. They built the structure that stood there and then surrounded it with trees for privacy. As the earth heaved as it does the mountains around the place grew and they were pleased with the eventual additions of more barriers to keep the humans at bay. Fear kept the humans out now, it had since the legends started a few hundred years ago and none dared to test them by getting near the place. They were isolated. With their food so quick to 'see' the unnatural in their midst, it was all so very convenient for them to retain their privacy. With their identities known and their nature suspected the authorities kept their distance as the brothers never gave them reason to be disturbed. The authorities also minded their own business for fear of them vacating the country and draining the banks that they supported with their vast wealth and investments.
Scarlett rested her head on his shoulder for the trip in the car as he made love with their history; she kept quiet and just kept her gaze to the little bit she could see out the window. The darkness could not be pierced by her eyes so Vladimir made a point to bring her out for a look around during the day if the sun stayed hidden; or perhaps on foot through the trees if it was warm enough.
This should be no different than anywhere else he brought her, Scarlet thought, but here they would be alone; it was similar to Germany she thought but they were there and gone so fast that it was hardly a comparison. She had it in mind to ask how long they would be staying but this was his home and she didn't want to rush him away from the place; he felt light to her, happy to be back when she occasionally glanced at him so suggesting that they go somewhere else to her seemed insulting. This was his home, his true home in the world and that made her consider that this place was very important to him. He was quiet for the whole ride in the car, he must have been deep in thought, he was always so but it seemed like he was even more so now. Perhaps it was because she was to live with him and his brother; was he thinking about that and the logistics of it or was it something else? With Stephen sitting so near she felt that she would intrude by asking him. No, she thought, she should be quiet, at least until she was addressed, and that decision of hers made her feel small again.
Their car pulled up into a heavily fortified and sheltered entrance; the driver exited at once and opened the back door so they could exit as well. Vladimir signaled for Stephan to go first and he then followed with Scarlett behind him, taking her hand to steady her. It had been too long since he was home but a small part of him felt especially triumphant in this moment, he had brought something, someone, back with him that made all the objects in the building before them worthless. Scarlett felt hesitant beside him, more now than ever since their union and he could very well imagine why; this place was truly remote and she didn't have Liz with her. He and Stephan had a few words with the driver as he allowed her to take a few steps alone to look around. After a few arrangements were made the bags were brought in and the car pulled away. Scarlett was forcing a smile, he could see through it. "Mrs Lonescu, you seem to be displeased with your new home?" They were still outside and he had to admit, they never designed the place to look welcoming to anyone. She gave him a look, not wanting to answer him in a negative way. "It is much nicer on the inside and our room is the most comfortable and welcoming, I saw to it that you will have every comfort." She gave him a nod and shifted herself to be near him; she wasn't ready to speak and he wasn't going to force her to say something she might regret. He then scooped her up into his arms and proceeded into the place, his wife needed a proper carrying into their home over the threshold.
Scarlett remained silent as V showed her around the pace, not that she didn't have anything to say but in fact had an excess of reaction to everything she saw and perceived in an exceptionally short moment; arched halls, large rooms with priceless treasures from around the world, countless works of art and sculptures all in absolute perfect order; he seemed to not need any words from her. V finally set her down at a set of French doors that looked as if they were to a terrace or balcony and opened them for her. Up until that point he was describing every room and picked out a few pieces that her eyes landed on to explain where and when it was from but now he was silent. Scarlett didn't know what to make of what she saw when she stepped through the ornate doors and observed dried up grasses on parched earth with several stones strewn about. She was about to speak when she noticed a circle of stones with some charred pieces of wood inside of it; a tear touched her cheek. "This is where it happened, right here." She looked over to V as he was watching her and he gave her a nod. She found her way back into his arms and could only think of how she wished in that very moment that she could have been there in that spot so long ago and lived his life with him every day until the present. "Thank you for showing me this spot, I can only imagine that not many have had the honor of seeing it, especially a human." His head shook. She wanted to say she was sorry but she wasn't, she wanted to say she wished she was with him when it happened but he wouldn't be the man he was for her today. V had her picked up in his arms and walked her to their room at a very slow pace so she could see the path he took. Once there, V set her feet down and let her glance around. The bedroom was simple and extravagant all at the same time; comfortable without expectation. Here in this space she did feel safe and more at ease.
"We will be going out to find food for you momentarily as there is none in the house. I'll let you get settled in a bit." Scarlett had made it to the window, a few short paces before V had their bags in the room and was already unpacking them.
Scarlett still marveled at his speed and almost offered to help but that would take a lot longer to put things away and she guessed that going out late was already limiting their options as to where to find food. She was hungry and in a few hours when her stomach would start rumbling, she wouldn't be able to ask him to ignore it. She did go into the bathroom to look around, it was impressive in its own right, wash her hands and take care of business. She exited the room and found him patiently waiting for her, her coat in his hands. Within a few moments she was in a car and he was driving them back to the small town that they passed on their way in. Most of the places were closed for the evening except one, a grocery store. He had her out of the car and through the front doors of the place where she came face to face with a very nervous looking shopkeeper. She couldn't even begin to imagine what he thought of the sight of them before him. Scarlett had to pause for a moment to think and then burst out in a few giggles, "This is the first time you have taken me out shopping and it's to get groceries." V had a wire basket in hand and he just smirked at her.
"This is a first for me too, wife." The revelation she had made struck him, he had never considered it as this being a moment of remembrance but there it was. "I don't think we'd make it out of a lingerie shop had I taken you to one madam." Her cheeks flushed and the shop owner who was watching them from behind a pile of garlic just stared at them. "Please find something palatable my love so he can get back to his family and I can get you back home." V was feeling the same sense of craving her as he did when he returned from Russia, he needed her to be 'human' for him just then. She gave him a nod and stared her way down the aisles looking at things. Canned goods were looked at and those without pictures he read to her; her brow was creased most of the time. There was more success in filling the basket when they came to the fruits and vegetables. His eyes watched hers as they did her hands, what she touched or put back. Women, in their primal state were gathers so the experience of seeing her do just that was sobering to him. She also didn't stray away from him for more than two paces; she was uneasy being there it seemed and he was curious as to why. "Meat S, you need protein." He whispered to her and she came up to him and whispered back, 'I didn't see a kitchen.' and gave him a look. "We have one wife, and I will look forward to christening it with you." Then he winked at her to see if she would blush for him again but instead she moistened her lips and looked him up and down. He groaned internally, 'Thank the gods.'.
"Alright." Scarlet said ever so quietly but he heard her well enough. She gave him a little smirk to seal the deal. She picked out a few more pieces of fruit and set them in the basket V was holding before going to the counter where the shopkeeper was waiting for her; he looked scared, ready to pass out even. "Eggs?" She pointed to the familiar carton behind the glass and he fished it out for her. "H'mm steak?" Pointing to the cuts of meat she held up two fingers and he understood and got them for her. She would pass on the chicken and other odd cuts she didn't recognize for now. Turning to V, "I'd like to come back in a couple of days to buy more if that's okay." V gave her a nod. Turning back to the man who had her order wrapped up for her she took it and then grabbed a couple of bulbs of garlic from in front of him; he was ready to run or pass out, she wasn't sure but into the basket they went. V was ever silent and observant beside her and in all honesty she wished they were back home and quietly comfortable but this was the country for all intensive purposes and all the conveniences of the city were far behind so she would need to learn to 'rough it' and plan ahead for things as simple as food. "Can you ask him if they can deliver or would that be too much?"
The beauty of living in such a far removed place, far from civilization was the language barrier, that was one thing Vladimir enjoyed. "I believe he would if we ask but I do think the humans would be more settled with having us come to them and seeing that you are content." She gave him a nod and looked down at the basket then made her way to where there was a selection of spices. A few landed in the basket and then there was a long pause of thought before she went back into the aisles; he followed her. She seemed to have stopped in front of the selection of soups they had and was hesitating at selecting what she wanted. He picked out a tin of chicken, beef and two vegetable ones for her at her relief. He whispered, "I have the supplies you prefer love, I would not have you uncomfortable at attempting what is available in this country."
"Whew. Thank you." Scarlett was immensely relieved as she had seen the section of feminin hygiene but cowarded out of stopping to look. "I didn't bring my purse? Ugh." Vladimir snorted and headed to the checkout where the shopkeeper was waiting for them. Items were tallied up and bagged and several bills placed on the counter.
The shopkeeper was making the change when V waved it away, "Mulțumesc pentru timpul acordat." (Thank you for your time.) the human gave a nod. They were back in the car with all the bags safely stowed and heading back home.