Heart, don't fail me now.
Courage, don't desert me.
Don't turn back
Now that we're here.
People always say
Life is full of choices.
No one ever mentions
Fear.
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey
~Journey to the Past, Anastasia
Luce ed Ombra
Chapter Five
Pousada Obidos
[By Ultema and Guo]
Having made it to their seats safely -- a first class trip nonetheless, some time passed from their last exhausting excursion, and without tearing a stocking, they had made it through the ordeal safely. Security was tightened, however, due to the report of one of the loaders, and the plane was a good deal off schedule. Though, strangely enough now that things had calmed down, tickets rechecked by the stewardesses several times over, Isabella had taken to closing her eyes for a few minutes.
She'd been feeling particularly weak for the last few moments, could have been her lack of sleep on the human side, or her lack of shadows on the demon, but nonetheless she was finding it harder and harder to keep her eyes open as the turbulence died down and they climbed higher into the skies, until the ground below was nothing more than multicolored patches below. She was propped up on one elbow, resting on the arm of the aisle-side seat and staring at the head of a ridiculously tall person in front of them. She hadn't been terribly talkative since her last 'tantrum', either.
Dante's mouth hadn't been opened often either. Tension? Maybe ... of course both of them enjoyed the silence, and didn't really care as to how the other was feeling. Still, Dante couldn't help but notice her looking ill.
"Are you alright, babe? ... Need a drink?" His glass of his favorite drink, a non-alcoholic version of gin and tonic on the rocks, was held out to her.
"Maybe you'd better get some slee-- " Interrupted by a hand being placed atop of his head, which he quickly grabbed, apparently scaring the bejesus out of a small child in the seat behind his.
"That is ... if you can ... Uh, we'll be there soon, yeah? Just relax." He leaned back, offered a kind smile -- perhaps the first non-hostile look either had given since the gun incident -- and even his hand gave her a solid yet soft pat on the shoulder.
From the corner of one eye, Isabella shifted her attention towards her partner with a sort of lax, easy smile of her own feeling the pat to her shoulder. Using a fair amount of effort, she too, fell back to rest against her chair, and shifted her legs about until they were extended as far as she possibly could without getting them stuck under the chair in front of her. Amused by the scared child behind her partner, she accepted the drink, took a sip and handed right back to the generous towhead before wiping her mouth on the back of her opposite hand. Despite the fact that they were ardently opposed to one another, it was nice to actually find someone who was willing to help her out, even if it was to destroy her. It was a start and a finish all in one.
" I never met someone quite like you, hunter. You are a curious one. Hopefully before time runs out, I'll know why." This said, leaning her head into the soft chair behind her, she took to looking at the ceiling above. She hadn't been paying attention to whatever film was currently being played. There was far too much on her mind.
Dante wasn't quite sure what that last comment meant, but as always, he took it as a compliment. Not much in vocal part of his response, he wasn't one to express meaningful feelings or ideas in such an easily discernable and direct method. A smirk and chuckle from the man, his eyes watching hers as they wandered. His legs shifted, a bit fidgety when he had to stay so still in such a small area. Finally able to settle back and relax. Perhaps this wasn't going to be so bad, at least this part of the trip ... she certainly was intriguing, quite a quality to a man like him.
***
There was a flicker on the television screens, a waver, and then a quick cross of white just before the screen went black. This caught her attention, and Isabella rested her eyes forward as the sound of static lightly filled the area. Curiously, a brow rose as she leaned over her companion slightly, taking a glance at the area below. A huge wall surrounded a whitewashed town, complete with brilliant red bougainvillea flowers hanging from every window box, decorating the arches and gates. In the center of the town, a castle-like structure, off-color to the rest of its surroundings seemed to catch her eye the most, before sitting down again and smoothing the wrinkles out of her skirt. Her right hand reached over to fall atop of her partner's, and she leaned over slightly, nodding in the direction of the castle.
"That is where we are headed, as if you didn't know." A smirk revealing again, a row of pearl and two peridot eyes offering a mischievous glance from under dark hair towards her companion. Isabella still appeared tired, but she didn't seem to be acting the part anymore; at least, not quite so visibly.
"We'll be arriving in Obidos, Portugal momentarily. Please remain seated for now, and on your way out make sure that you have collected all of your belongings. Thank you, and have a nice day."
Ffzt. The intercom nearly clipped the end of the sentence off as the message ended. Now it seemed, was the time to really get to the meat of the outing.
"Come on, come on, we don't want to take all day, dear." How honey-sweet the tone Isabella used, the woman in a long jacket and a short skirt when the plane landed and passengers began to get off. Somehow the two of them had gotten separated and she had gotten off a fair amount ahead of the platinum-haired partner of hers. The problem was, there was a runway, but no airport.
Unlike the other passengers, who's eyes swept over their surroundings with awe as they stepped off the plane, Isabella was off in an instant, standing with her hands on her hips and her sunglasses hiding her brilliant green eyes. Been there, done that was the general response to the area, after all she'd been trying to get this particular bit of her existence accomplished for some time now. Full lips pushed forward in a business-like pout (Something only she managed to pull off), one stiletto-laden foot tapped impatiently against the asphalt below, before her hands dug into her pockets and retrieved a pack of cigarettes, and her Zippo. Nearby, the luggage was being unloaded, and she sure as hell wasn't making a move to go and get any.
Dante found his eyes wandering almost as much as the other passengers. The surroundings were some of the most beautiful he had seen. Thoughts moved in and out of his head, but with a call of the other, his attention returned to what was at hand. Where was she going in such a hurry? She was supposedly alive for hundreds of years ... what were a few more minutes? he figured. He didn't raise a voice though, chasing after her with absolutely no clue as to their destination ... or even where they were, his ego took a hit or two ... and he couldn't let that happen, could he?
"Whoa, slow down, babe. What's going on ... what's the rush?" his chase slowed to a leisurely walk. No comprehension of anything she was perhaps experiencing, nor much consideration to any needed hurry, he strolled along the streets.
"You've got to start giving me a bit more information..." Strands of platinum in his face lay motionless with each step, which was now picking up into something similar to a march towards her. His crimson trench coat flowed smoothly as his hips threw his body off to the side to view her face. He was ready to help, but not go charging in blind.
"Well, for one, luggage needs picking up, love." A sweeter than candy smile, and a cigarette was pulled up to heavy lips and lit, before offering the pack to her companion with a smile cracked on both sides of it. A slender leg extended, hip cocked as Isabella turned to look towards the horizon where the castle loomed. There was a cobblestone street that seemed to wind in and out of the city... and that was apparently where they were headed.
"I hate to make you look like the butler here, hunter, but sometimes facades have to be kept up, no?" A push of the hand down upon the rim of her sunglasses and she slipped him a wink. The fresh air whipped over the runway, before she picked up her walk towards the path, and indicated the construction in the distance.
Dante's feet stopped in their tracks when she suggested that he actually become a butler, his mouth opened but nothing came out save for a slight audible sigh.
" 'swhere we are headed, Hunter ... soon as we're away from the common folk I'll help you with some of that." At least ... there wasn't TOO much luggage; just three suitcases, all feeling about only a thousand pounds each. Ouch.
An eyebrow rose in response to her. Everything seemed too peachy to him, but Dante wasn't going to deny that there was nothing to be concerned about other than his own paranoia ... but one in his profession tended to have some form of mental disorder.
Looking over the bags, he stooped down and attempted to lift them with his legs; a stumble here, an imbalance there, he was obviously one of the most coordinated people alive. Boots met with the ground harder, Dante moving into a slight jog just to catch up. While this little endeavor should have been humiliating to him, he looked at it more of being her body guard -- how far from the truth could he pretend now... Still, the thought proved to push a smile onto the man's face, of course, he was realizing most of what she did caused that. What a trip this would be. Left foot over right, and stumbling about like a bright red fool, he followed his client and partner without protest.
Click, click, click, those heels weren't made for hiking, but the cobblestone path was good enough to work with. Though, it seemed that the path took more twists and turns than absolutely necessary... but then again that's the way these old places were made, no? Being jostled forward by one of Dante's many missteps, Isabella took to peering over her shoulder as they rounded another curve, making sure that not a single soul was in sight, she fell back from her lead on the poor young man, and placed an index finger below one of the handles on a case, lifting it with a fair amount of ease, and then another one, while living him with the last. Drawing smoke in and puffing it out the other side like a practiced cigar smoker, she shifted her attention towards her partner, to whom she had said very little to the entire time the had known each other.
" Well ... we're headed for the castle, there. We've got reservations to stay, and that's where our little adventure is going to take place... any questions?"
And that's where our death will take place is more what it sounded like ... a squint was made in the man's eyes as they peered over to hers. Still, despite how odd it sounded, there was nothing that beat an on-site location. Dante decided to keep his questions to himself from now on. To him, things were better answered through his own observations.
"Sounds like ya' got the whole thing planned out for me ... lets just hope it all works out how you're thinking." He pressed forward to at least share the lead with her, his head tilted back slightly, almost raising his chin in the air like a regular snooty. Arms flared out to the sides with a yawn and a stretch. Anyone could see what he wanted.
"Well, I know the basic structure of the area, what's behind the door, now that I don't know. I just hope you have the reflexes to keep yourself alive passed whatever's there..." Oh wasn't that just peachy keen? They were starting to round the last bend, and the rising spires of the castle were in full view by now, as well as the huge wooden door. In all reality it looked well kept, much like a hotel or something.
And wouldn't you know, that a sign by the side of the road mentioned something about being refurbished into a tourist attraction and place to stay in Portuguese. So they were going to slay tourists?
" Oh, and you'll be happy to know that when we get there, you're welcome to take a rest. We can't do anything until nightfall anyway."
Eyes glanced over the castle and settled upon the front, Dante was just surprised there wasn't a neon sign above pointing all people like him to whatever sort of hell hole this most likely was -- no offense to the establishment itself. All in all, he just felt like one of the Ghostbusters or something. He nodded to Isabella in understanding; he could use a little rest. He found his mind racing to stay on one subject or stay concentrated, and hoped that it was just the jet lag, still, something felt off about this place -- as well it should ... why else would he be there?
"You and I should.... rest up ... for ... well after all ... we need our skills to be in fine form, don't we?" He almost sounded nervous ... in a cute, sarcastic, asshole-like sort of way. Perhaps this was the chance he had been looking for ... to case the area... and her, of course.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Notes: The more meaty end of the outage will occur soon now. ^_^ Had to set the scene and all after all, but in the next chapters, more familiar faces will be showing up, and some personality given to characters that didn't have a lot of establishing on-screen time. I'll warn you now, since there's no real clear definition of the character's persona's, they may conflict with your view of what they should be like, but don't worry, nothing stupid :P.
Courage, don't desert me.
Don't turn back
Now that we're here.
People always say
Life is full of choices.
No one ever mentions
Fear.
Or how the world can seem so vast
On a journey
~Journey to the Past, Anastasia
Chapter Five
Pousada Obidos
[By Ultema and Guo]
She'd been feeling particularly weak for the last few moments, could have been her lack of sleep on the human side, or her lack of shadows on the demon, but nonetheless she was finding it harder and harder to keep her eyes open as the turbulence died down and they climbed higher into the skies, until the ground below was nothing more than multicolored patches below. She was propped up on one elbow, resting on the arm of the aisle-side seat and staring at the head of a ridiculously tall person in front of them. She hadn't been terribly talkative since her last 'tantrum', either.
Dante's mouth hadn't been opened often either. Tension? Maybe ... of course both of them enjoyed the silence, and didn't really care as to how the other was feeling. Still, Dante couldn't help but notice her looking ill.
"Are you alright, babe? ... Need a drink?" His glass of his favorite drink, a non-alcoholic version of gin and tonic on the rocks, was held out to her.
"Maybe you'd better get some slee-- " Interrupted by a hand being placed atop of his head, which he quickly grabbed, apparently scaring the bejesus out of a small child in the seat behind his.
"That is ... if you can ... Uh, we'll be there soon, yeah? Just relax." He leaned back, offered a kind smile -- perhaps the first non-hostile look either had given since the gun incident -- and even his hand gave her a solid yet soft pat on the shoulder.
From the corner of one eye, Isabella shifted her attention towards her partner with a sort of lax, easy smile of her own feeling the pat to her shoulder. Using a fair amount of effort, she too, fell back to rest against her chair, and shifted her legs about until they were extended as far as she possibly could without getting them stuck under the chair in front of her. Amused by the scared child behind her partner, she accepted the drink, took a sip and handed right back to the generous towhead before wiping her mouth on the back of her opposite hand. Despite the fact that they were ardently opposed to one another, it was nice to actually find someone who was willing to help her out, even if it was to destroy her. It was a start and a finish all in one.
" I never met someone quite like you, hunter. You are a curious one. Hopefully before time runs out, I'll know why." This said, leaning her head into the soft chair behind her, she took to looking at the ceiling above. She hadn't been paying attention to whatever film was currently being played. There was far too much on her mind.
Dante wasn't quite sure what that last comment meant, but as always, he took it as a compliment. Not much in vocal part of his response, he wasn't one to express meaningful feelings or ideas in such an easily discernable and direct method. A smirk and chuckle from the man, his eyes watching hers as they wandered. His legs shifted, a bit fidgety when he had to stay so still in such a small area. Finally able to settle back and relax. Perhaps this wasn't going to be so bad, at least this part of the trip ... she certainly was intriguing, quite a quality to a man like him.
There was a flicker on the television screens, a waver, and then a quick cross of white just before the screen went black. This caught her attention, and Isabella rested her eyes forward as the sound of static lightly filled the area. Curiously, a brow rose as she leaned over her companion slightly, taking a glance at the area below. A huge wall surrounded a whitewashed town, complete with brilliant red bougainvillea flowers hanging from every window box, decorating the arches and gates. In the center of the town, a castle-like structure, off-color to the rest of its surroundings seemed to catch her eye the most, before sitting down again and smoothing the wrinkles out of her skirt. Her right hand reached over to fall atop of her partner's, and she leaned over slightly, nodding in the direction of the castle.
"That is where we are headed, as if you didn't know." A smirk revealing again, a row of pearl and two peridot eyes offering a mischievous glance from under dark hair towards her companion. Isabella still appeared tired, but she didn't seem to be acting the part anymore; at least, not quite so visibly.
"We'll be arriving in Obidos, Portugal momentarily. Please remain seated for now, and on your way out make sure that you have collected all of your belongings. Thank you, and have a nice day."
Ffzt. The intercom nearly clipped the end of the sentence off as the message ended. Now it seemed, was the time to really get to the meat of the outing.
"Come on, come on, we don't want to take all day, dear." How honey-sweet the tone Isabella used, the woman in a long jacket and a short skirt when the plane landed and passengers began to get off. Somehow the two of them had gotten separated and she had gotten off a fair amount ahead of the platinum-haired partner of hers. The problem was, there was a runway, but no airport.
Unlike the other passengers, who's eyes swept over their surroundings with awe as they stepped off the plane, Isabella was off in an instant, standing with her hands on her hips and her sunglasses hiding her brilliant green eyes. Been there, done that was the general response to the area, after all she'd been trying to get this particular bit of her existence accomplished for some time now. Full lips pushed forward in a business-like pout (Something only she managed to pull off), one stiletto-laden foot tapped impatiently against the asphalt below, before her hands dug into her pockets and retrieved a pack of cigarettes, and her Zippo. Nearby, the luggage was being unloaded, and she sure as hell wasn't making a move to go and get any.
Dante found his eyes wandering almost as much as the other passengers. The surroundings were some of the most beautiful he had seen. Thoughts moved in and out of his head, but with a call of the other, his attention returned to what was at hand. Where was she going in such a hurry? She was supposedly alive for hundreds of years ... what were a few more minutes? he figured. He didn't raise a voice though, chasing after her with absolutely no clue as to their destination ... or even where they were, his ego took a hit or two ... and he couldn't let that happen, could he?
"Whoa, slow down, babe. What's going on ... what's the rush?" his chase slowed to a leisurely walk. No comprehension of anything she was perhaps experiencing, nor much consideration to any needed hurry, he strolled along the streets.
"You've got to start giving me a bit more information..." Strands of platinum in his face lay motionless with each step, which was now picking up into something similar to a march towards her. His crimson trench coat flowed smoothly as his hips threw his body off to the side to view her face. He was ready to help, but not go charging in blind.
"Well, for one, luggage needs picking up, love." A sweeter than candy smile, and a cigarette was pulled up to heavy lips and lit, before offering the pack to her companion with a smile cracked on both sides of it. A slender leg extended, hip cocked as Isabella turned to look towards the horizon where the castle loomed. There was a cobblestone street that seemed to wind in and out of the city... and that was apparently where they were headed.
"I hate to make you look like the butler here, hunter, but sometimes facades have to be kept up, no?" A push of the hand down upon the rim of her sunglasses and she slipped him a wink. The fresh air whipped over the runway, before she picked up her walk towards the path, and indicated the construction in the distance.
Dante's feet stopped in their tracks when she suggested that he actually become a butler, his mouth opened but nothing came out save for a slight audible sigh.
" 'swhere we are headed, Hunter ... soon as we're away from the common folk I'll help you with some of that." At least ... there wasn't TOO much luggage; just three suitcases, all feeling about only a thousand pounds each. Ouch.
An eyebrow rose in response to her. Everything seemed too peachy to him, but Dante wasn't going to deny that there was nothing to be concerned about other than his own paranoia ... but one in his profession tended to have some form of mental disorder.
Looking over the bags, he stooped down and attempted to lift them with his legs; a stumble here, an imbalance there, he was obviously one of the most coordinated people alive. Boots met with the ground harder, Dante moving into a slight jog just to catch up. While this little endeavor should have been humiliating to him, he looked at it more of being her body guard -- how far from the truth could he pretend now... Still, the thought proved to push a smile onto the man's face, of course, he was realizing most of what she did caused that. What a trip this would be. Left foot over right, and stumbling about like a bright red fool, he followed his client and partner without protest.
Click, click, click, those heels weren't made for hiking, but the cobblestone path was good enough to work with. Though, it seemed that the path took more twists and turns than absolutely necessary... but then again that's the way these old places were made, no? Being jostled forward by one of Dante's many missteps, Isabella took to peering over her shoulder as they rounded another curve, making sure that not a single soul was in sight, she fell back from her lead on the poor young man, and placed an index finger below one of the handles on a case, lifting it with a fair amount of ease, and then another one, while living him with the last. Drawing smoke in and puffing it out the other side like a practiced cigar smoker, she shifted her attention towards her partner, to whom she had said very little to the entire time the had known each other.
" Well ... we're headed for the castle, there. We've got reservations to stay, and that's where our little adventure is going to take place... any questions?"
And that's where our death will take place is more what it sounded like ... a squint was made in the man's eyes as they peered over to hers. Still, despite how odd it sounded, there was nothing that beat an on-site location. Dante decided to keep his questions to himself from now on. To him, things were better answered through his own observations.
"Sounds like ya' got the whole thing planned out for me ... lets just hope it all works out how you're thinking." He pressed forward to at least share the lead with her, his head tilted back slightly, almost raising his chin in the air like a regular snooty. Arms flared out to the sides with a yawn and a stretch. Anyone could see what he wanted.
"Well, I know the basic structure of the area, what's behind the door, now that I don't know. I just hope you have the reflexes to keep yourself alive passed whatever's there..." Oh wasn't that just peachy keen? They were starting to round the last bend, and the rising spires of the castle were in full view by now, as well as the huge wooden door. In all reality it looked well kept, much like a hotel or something.
And wouldn't you know, that a sign by the side of the road mentioned something about being refurbished into a tourist attraction and place to stay in Portuguese. So they were going to slay tourists?
" Oh, and you'll be happy to know that when we get there, you're welcome to take a rest. We can't do anything until nightfall anyway."
Eyes glanced over the castle and settled upon the front, Dante was just surprised there wasn't a neon sign above pointing all people like him to whatever sort of hell hole this most likely was -- no offense to the establishment itself. All in all, he just felt like one of the Ghostbusters or something. He nodded to Isabella in understanding; he could use a little rest. He found his mind racing to stay on one subject or stay concentrated, and hoped that it was just the jet lag, still, something felt off about this place -- as well it should ... why else would he be there?
"You and I should.... rest up ... for ... well after all ... we need our skills to be in fine form, don't we?" He almost sounded nervous ... in a cute, sarcastic, asshole-like sort of way. Perhaps this was the chance he had been looking for ... to case the area... and her, of course.
