Chapter 4b
Kaori and Amanda
Recap:
"Sessha is a vagabond. When the bounties present themselves, this one is a vampire hunter, when the town is peaceful, a storyteller, and, whenever possible, sessha uses her ability to Heal almost anything in exchange for room and board. Kind of like a healer's version of singing for her supper- done that, too, once."
"........ that did not answer my question."
Shae dropped her gaze from her scimitars to her bed.
"... If this one can claim anything for a trade, then it is as a Hunter, though it is only a part-time gig."
::How can you be a part-time Vampire hunter? Is that even possible?:: Sym muttered to D.
"Hai. It is possible to be a part-time Hunter. It really means seesha takes the bounties as they cross her path, this one does not go looking for them, as you must do."
Sym was silent for a long moment.
::D, she just replied to my question. I was talking to you telepathically. What the hell just happened?::
::Act like I asked the question?::
::But how did she even overhear me?::
Shae winced, and hid a shiver as she pressed a hand to her side painfully. A very soft "itai" drifted to D's keen ears.
::If she's a Healer, why can't she heal herself?::
::Because healer's can't.::
::Why not?::
::........::
::Why not?!::
::Healing is a very rare talent. The healer uses his or her own inner energies to Heal sometimes even lethal wounds. It has a price, but basically, since the Healer uses their own energies to fix the damage, it's like picking themselves up off the ground without any outside help. Literally impossible.::
Shae's gaze stared at the wall and through it, as if looking at something only she could see as she spoke next.
"Make me a promise, vampire hunter."
He looked at her.
"Promise me you will not harm Amanda. She is one of the few people I have that are close to me."
::D... she stopped using third-person on herself. Is that good or bad?::
::Either way... she had a reason for asking that of a vampire hunter.::
"Why?"
"Promise it. If you will not give this promise blindly, then I will find my way over there alone, and you will lose your lead on the vampire coven."
A long pause.
"How did you know there was a coven?"
::Because she's one of the coven's barborois?::
Her eyes focused on him, almost scornfully.
"How else do you think sessha knows that particular vampire female has little skill with tracking? This one was on their trail when Grove crossed sessha's path."
::Fine, but how does she know that vampire, then? D, she leaves more questions unanswered than answered.::
A pause.
"Grove got lucky. Thank you again for helping me fight the other day."
::Oh, and not a thank you for saving her life?::
::They are much the same thing.::
::No they're not! She's thanking you for fighting, not for not leaving her and Grove on their own!::
D regarded her for a long moment. It was than he realized that, despite Sym's suspicions and continuing comments, he felt... drawn was the best word- to the strange woman. No, not romantically, but drawn nonetheless.
::There is more going on here than either of us knows about. I'm curious.::
"Fine. I promise."
::D, what if you just promised to not harm a vampire?::
::The girl was human. There was nothing vampiric about her.::
Shae nodded, and laid back, one hand straying free of the bed, into a sunbeam. Her color was better now, a pale tan instead of white... the door unbolted.
"When Kaori-chan gets back, you should accept her offer to lead you around the town. She knows where sessha usually goes to restock her supplies, and with her, you will get a fair price."
At D's look, she continued.
"Usually, the shopkeepers charge double for strangers. If you're with Kaori, then you aren't a stranger to someone in the town, so you'll be treated honestly."
Kaori banged in on the heels of that comment, panting. It was quite obvious that the girl had run both ways.
"Momma says you are always welcome, especially if you'll spend the night." The little girl looked over at D, and bowed politely. "And Mr. Hunter, if you want, momma said I could show you around town. I know where Shae-sama always goes, and since both of you hunt nasty things, I think you might like those places too."
.
.
.
It was right around sunset when Shae left Grove's to go across the street and up one block, to a moderate house on the edge of the town proper. Kaori was sedate, her small hands keeping one of Shae's on her shoulder to support her, as Shae limped slowly in pace with the little girl. Grove held true to his word, but they were still spotted by Rosalind when they passed the restaurant Grove had taken her to in an effort of distraction.
Shae was still unnaturally pale, and though she hid her pain exceptionally well, D could still see it there in the depths of her eyes. Her limp was because she could not force her body to walk normally, or she would have acted in better health. As it was, she had managed to hide most of the bandages that graced her lean form by her relatively loose-fitting clothes. A blonde whirlwind swooped out of the doorway to the restaurant, and just as Rosalind opened her mouth to start speaking, Shae simply looked at her, deadpanned.
"Rosalind, sessha is going to visit Amanda-chan. That is all. You know what she means to this one."
Said blonde muttered under her breath.
"Sessha heard that."
Green eyes lit up with force of personality as the now-blazing gaze settled on Shae's tranquil deep grey ones.
"You'll injure yourself again! Go back inside immediately, you're not well enough to be walking around yet!"
In direct contrast to Rosalind's vehement and emotional exclamation, Shae's reply was in the same calm tone she had used earlier.
"It is only a cut, Rose. Sessha's help is needed, you have no authority to order this one around."
D had been watching all of this stoically, as usual, but a unique turn of phrase claimed his attention.
::No authority to order this one around? I know I've heard that before, somewhere...::
::D?::
::What?::
::I heard that.::
::I know.::
::... what do you mean you've heard that before?::
::I have heard someone say those exact words several hundred years ago.::
"I may have no authority over you, but we were once partners. I would hope in at least memory of that you would take better care of yourself."
"Rosalind, sessha has done more with worse before."
At that, the blonde gave up.
"You're more stubborn than anyone else I know. Go on, I won't stop you. I also won't rebandage your gut-wound."
Shae nodded, and slowly continued on. The frustration on Rosalind's face was visible even to the untrained eye.
Several minutes later, Shae opened the door to Kaori's home, the little girl running ahead and inside.
"Momma! Shae-sama's here!"
A calm voice spoke from the shadows where no daylight hit.
"It's a relief to see you, Shae-sama. Please close the door behind you..."
Shae quickly did so, as D's eyes narrowed at the porcelain-skinned figure seated in the darkness. Shae stumbled quickly over, fingers brushing down the collar on Amanda's turtleneck...
Shae bowed her head.
"Oh Amanda... When?"
A pair of neat puncture marks was revealed on Amanda's neck.
D's left hand twitched slightly.
::I told you so, D! You promised not to harm a vampire!::
"Barely five days ago... I was almost back inside when I was knocked unconcious."
Shae bowed her head, the hand that had found its way to the armrest tightened.
"At least there is still time... Have you slept at all since?"
Amanda shook her head.
"Not really. The doctor knows, but noone else does. The rumor is that I have some sickness, and so I'm only allowed a few visitors."
Shae nodded, and looked at D, her eyes pale.
He shook his head, and walked to the door. Amanda's voice halted him.
"Who's your friend, Shae-sama?"
"He is a vampire hunter... Sessha was lucky he showed up when he did, or this one perhaps would not be here."
Amanda stood and hugged Shae, the latter wincing even at the light touch the other woman gave her.
"What happened to you? You shpuldn;t be on your feet, with as weak as you are.... I can see it in the way you stand..."
The other woman called to D as she settled Shae into the previously occupied chair.
"D-san.... Might I speak with you for a little bit? I know you know what has happened to me... but... Shae trusted you enough to bring you here, would you please accept my hospitality?"
::D.....::
::Quiet.::
::D! I don;t believe this, you;re throwing how many years of caution to the winds?::
::It is not as though they could hurt me.::
::You don;t know that.::
Shae pressed a hand to her side, Amanda immediately fussing over her.
"You;re staying here for the night, no ifs ands or buts! You are in no condition to walk- you shouldn't've even come here today! Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Shae managed a ghost of a smile.
"Amanda-san..."
"If you say you have done more with worse I'll hit you. You were like a mother to me, let me take care of you this time."
Shae shook her head.
"It is nothing, Amanda-san..."
Kaori chirped up.
"Oh! I almost forgot.... Thankyou Shae-sama for the birthday present! Momma said you said it was a treat just for me, but I shared it with her."
Sym spoke up again, his tone intrigued.
::What are we seeing here? Amanda is a vampire, recently turned...::
Shae chuckled softly.
"This one is glad you enjoyed the honey, little one..."
Kaori nodded.
"Uh huh! And Mr. Kiwasaki said that he can;t get honey, because it's only made on the far side of the continent. Was it hard for you to get it, Shae-sama?"
Shae smiled.
"Not at all. IT was a payment for services rendered to a rather wealthy customer."
Amanda shook her head.
"Go to bed, Kaori. IT's after sunset, and you have to go to Rosalind's tomorrow to help her with her baby."
Kaori nodded and scampered off. Shae watched her go fondly.
"She has grown quite a lot in six years... as have you, Amanda."
Amanda took a seat in an empty chair, as D finally aquiesced to common courtesey and joined them.
"Children grow up quickly... but you haven;t changed a bit. What brings you back in this state? It's more than escorting Grove and Abagail, you're too good fr something as simple as bandits to harm you."
Shae sighed.
"A vampire sessha thought long dead has reappeared, and along with him, his archnemesis. Sessha has the antidote for you, please go get it tonight... it is where sessha showed you when she was last here."
Amanda nodded.
"You didn;t answer my question."
A sigh.
"IT does not have a simpler answer than that."
"Then give me the unsimplified one."
Kaori and Amanda
Recap:
"Sessha is a vagabond. When the bounties present themselves, this one is a vampire hunter, when the town is peaceful, a storyteller, and, whenever possible, sessha uses her ability to Heal almost anything in exchange for room and board. Kind of like a healer's version of singing for her supper- done that, too, once."
"........ that did not answer my question."
Shae dropped her gaze from her scimitars to her bed.
"... If this one can claim anything for a trade, then it is as a Hunter, though it is only a part-time gig."
::How can you be a part-time Vampire hunter? Is that even possible?:: Sym muttered to D.
"Hai. It is possible to be a part-time Hunter. It really means seesha takes the bounties as they cross her path, this one does not go looking for them, as you must do."
Sym was silent for a long moment.
::D, she just replied to my question. I was talking to you telepathically. What the hell just happened?::
::Act like I asked the question?::
::But how did she even overhear me?::
Shae winced, and hid a shiver as she pressed a hand to her side painfully. A very soft "itai" drifted to D's keen ears.
::If she's a Healer, why can't she heal herself?::
::Because healer's can't.::
::Why not?::
::........::
::Why not?!::
::Healing is a very rare talent. The healer uses his or her own inner energies to Heal sometimes even lethal wounds. It has a price, but basically, since the Healer uses their own energies to fix the damage, it's like picking themselves up off the ground without any outside help. Literally impossible.::
Shae's gaze stared at the wall and through it, as if looking at something only she could see as she spoke next.
"Make me a promise, vampire hunter."
He looked at her.
"Promise me you will not harm Amanda. She is one of the few people I have that are close to me."
::D... she stopped using third-person on herself. Is that good or bad?::
::Either way... she had a reason for asking that of a vampire hunter.::
"Why?"
"Promise it. If you will not give this promise blindly, then I will find my way over there alone, and you will lose your lead on the vampire coven."
A long pause.
"How did you know there was a coven?"
::Because she's one of the coven's barborois?::
Her eyes focused on him, almost scornfully.
"How else do you think sessha knows that particular vampire female has little skill with tracking? This one was on their trail when Grove crossed sessha's path."
::Fine, but how does she know that vampire, then? D, she leaves more questions unanswered than answered.::
A pause.
"Grove got lucky. Thank you again for helping me fight the other day."
::Oh, and not a thank you for saving her life?::
::They are much the same thing.::
::No they're not! She's thanking you for fighting, not for not leaving her and Grove on their own!::
D regarded her for a long moment. It was than he realized that, despite Sym's suspicions and continuing comments, he felt... drawn was the best word- to the strange woman. No, not romantically, but drawn nonetheless.
::There is more going on here than either of us knows about. I'm curious.::
"Fine. I promise."
::D, what if you just promised to not harm a vampire?::
::The girl was human. There was nothing vampiric about her.::
Shae nodded, and laid back, one hand straying free of the bed, into a sunbeam. Her color was better now, a pale tan instead of white... the door unbolted.
"When Kaori-chan gets back, you should accept her offer to lead you around the town. She knows where sessha usually goes to restock her supplies, and with her, you will get a fair price."
At D's look, she continued.
"Usually, the shopkeepers charge double for strangers. If you're with Kaori, then you aren't a stranger to someone in the town, so you'll be treated honestly."
Kaori banged in on the heels of that comment, panting. It was quite obvious that the girl had run both ways.
"Momma says you are always welcome, especially if you'll spend the night." The little girl looked over at D, and bowed politely. "And Mr. Hunter, if you want, momma said I could show you around town. I know where Shae-sama always goes, and since both of you hunt nasty things, I think you might like those places too."
.
.
.
It was right around sunset when Shae left Grove's to go across the street and up one block, to a moderate house on the edge of the town proper. Kaori was sedate, her small hands keeping one of Shae's on her shoulder to support her, as Shae limped slowly in pace with the little girl. Grove held true to his word, but they were still spotted by Rosalind when they passed the restaurant Grove had taken her to in an effort of distraction.
Shae was still unnaturally pale, and though she hid her pain exceptionally well, D could still see it there in the depths of her eyes. Her limp was because she could not force her body to walk normally, or she would have acted in better health. As it was, she had managed to hide most of the bandages that graced her lean form by her relatively loose-fitting clothes. A blonde whirlwind swooped out of the doorway to the restaurant, and just as Rosalind opened her mouth to start speaking, Shae simply looked at her, deadpanned.
"Rosalind, sessha is going to visit Amanda-chan. That is all. You know what she means to this one."
Said blonde muttered under her breath.
"Sessha heard that."
Green eyes lit up with force of personality as the now-blazing gaze settled on Shae's tranquil deep grey ones.
"You'll injure yourself again! Go back inside immediately, you're not well enough to be walking around yet!"
In direct contrast to Rosalind's vehement and emotional exclamation, Shae's reply was in the same calm tone she had used earlier.
"It is only a cut, Rose. Sessha's help is needed, you have no authority to order this one around."
D had been watching all of this stoically, as usual, but a unique turn of phrase claimed his attention.
::No authority to order this one around? I know I've heard that before, somewhere...::
::D?::
::What?::
::I heard that.::
::I know.::
::... what do you mean you've heard that before?::
::I have heard someone say those exact words several hundred years ago.::
"I may have no authority over you, but we were once partners. I would hope in at least memory of that you would take better care of yourself."
"Rosalind, sessha has done more with worse before."
At that, the blonde gave up.
"You're more stubborn than anyone else I know. Go on, I won't stop you. I also won't rebandage your gut-wound."
Shae nodded, and slowly continued on. The frustration on Rosalind's face was visible even to the untrained eye.
Several minutes later, Shae opened the door to Kaori's home, the little girl running ahead and inside.
"Momma! Shae-sama's here!"
A calm voice spoke from the shadows where no daylight hit.
"It's a relief to see you, Shae-sama. Please close the door behind you..."
Shae quickly did so, as D's eyes narrowed at the porcelain-skinned figure seated in the darkness. Shae stumbled quickly over, fingers brushing down the collar on Amanda's turtleneck...
Shae bowed her head.
"Oh Amanda... When?"
A pair of neat puncture marks was revealed on Amanda's neck.
D's left hand twitched slightly.
::I told you so, D! You promised not to harm a vampire!::
"Barely five days ago... I was almost back inside when I was knocked unconcious."
Shae bowed her head, the hand that had found its way to the armrest tightened.
"At least there is still time... Have you slept at all since?"
Amanda shook her head.
"Not really. The doctor knows, but noone else does. The rumor is that I have some sickness, and so I'm only allowed a few visitors."
Shae nodded, and looked at D, her eyes pale.
He shook his head, and walked to the door. Amanda's voice halted him.
"Who's your friend, Shae-sama?"
"He is a vampire hunter... Sessha was lucky he showed up when he did, or this one perhaps would not be here."
Amanda stood and hugged Shae, the latter wincing even at the light touch the other woman gave her.
"What happened to you? You shpuldn;t be on your feet, with as weak as you are.... I can see it in the way you stand..."
The other woman called to D as she settled Shae into the previously occupied chair.
"D-san.... Might I speak with you for a little bit? I know you know what has happened to me... but... Shae trusted you enough to bring you here, would you please accept my hospitality?"
::D.....::
::Quiet.::
::D! I don;t believe this, you;re throwing how many years of caution to the winds?::
::It is not as though they could hurt me.::
::You don;t know that.::
Shae pressed a hand to her side, Amanda immediately fussing over her.
"You;re staying here for the night, no ifs ands or buts! You are in no condition to walk- you shouldn't've even come here today! Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Shae managed a ghost of a smile.
"Amanda-san..."
"If you say you have done more with worse I'll hit you. You were like a mother to me, let me take care of you this time."
Shae shook her head.
"It is nothing, Amanda-san..."
Kaori chirped up.
"Oh! I almost forgot.... Thankyou Shae-sama for the birthday present! Momma said you said it was a treat just for me, but I shared it with her."
Sym spoke up again, his tone intrigued.
::What are we seeing here? Amanda is a vampire, recently turned...::
Shae chuckled softly.
"This one is glad you enjoyed the honey, little one..."
Kaori nodded.
"Uh huh! And Mr. Kiwasaki said that he can;t get honey, because it's only made on the far side of the continent. Was it hard for you to get it, Shae-sama?"
Shae smiled.
"Not at all. IT was a payment for services rendered to a rather wealthy customer."
Amanda shook her head.
"Go to bed, Kaori. IT's after sunset, and you have to go to Rosalind's tomorrow to help her with her baby."
Kaori nodded and scampered off. Shae watched her go fondly.
"She has grown quite a lot in six years... as have you, Amanda."
Amanda took a seat in an empty chair, as D finally aquiesced to common courtesey and joined them.
"Children grow up quickly... but you haven;t changed a bit. What brings you back in this state? It's more than escorting Grove and Abagail, you're too good fr something as simple as bandits to harm you."
Shae sighed.
"A vampire sessha thought long dead has reappeared, and along with him, his archnemesis. Sessha has the antidote for you, please go get it tonight... it is where sessha showed you when she was last here."
Amanda nodded.
"You didn;t answer my question."
A sigh.
"IT does not have a simpler answer than that."
"Then give me the unsimplified one."